Bab 25: TWISTED FATE
"So, shall we seal our fate, or shall we run away from it?" Aoki said, standing up from his seat. He then strolled towards Zaito with both of his hands inside his pants' pockets.
"Your fate has already been sealed. It's time to drag you out of your fantasy, come." Zaito did not look him in the eye and walked out of the locker room.
Aoki chuckled.
"I'll create the room and send you the invitation," he said before turning to the other rookies, "Watch me, folks! This is how a real captain should play!"
Excitement filled the eyes of the other members of the guild. They finally had something to distract them from their shameful loss against Titans. Their murmurs echoed while they emptied the room and crowded towards the training center. They then waited for the two players to set themselves in their Battle Stations.
"Are you sure about this?" Pacholo said while helping his unit captain put on the gears.
Zaito nodded before locking his helmet. Then his cabin closed.
A huge rectangular screen flickered with life in Burning Orient's training room, and its guild members watched with anticipation. After a few minutes, the map appeared. It was a small oval ring surrounded by towering stone walls that the spectators could not even see the roof. There were no other props in it—a simple exchange of brute and wit until one contestant drops dead.
Two winged figures wearing the same penguin coats and top hats appeared. The only difference was their face, height, the color of hair, and their weapons—a golden wand against a scepter—but the rest was the same.
[Zaito, Level 25, Bronze Rank—Tier I, Divine Magician (Unit Captain of Burning Orient).]
[Znider, Level 28, Silver Rank—Tier V, Divine Magician (Unit Captain of Burning Orient).]
The custom room displayed the two players' details before the match started. It immediately became obvious who had the advantage.
Zaito's loss against Aildrin created a gap that allowed Aoki to overtake him in terms of rank and level.
"I'll show you the power that breaks seals!" Znider said.
[Match begins!]
Deck Slicer!
Both magicians activated the same skill. Red and blue cards clashed in between them in a series of explosions. A smoke then billowed.
Two silhouettes flew inside the smoke and clashed. They exchanged fists, kicks, and spells. And when the black cloud disappeared, Zaito's coat and wings sustained cuts while bloodstains and bruises covered his skin.
"Ohhh!" the crowd echoed.
Znider grinned. He was unruffled in that quick exchange. "Eating your crap now, eh? Let's see where your fate leads you, little boy!" His golden scepter then glowed in blue. A roar bellowed, and a giant blue flame in the shape of a humanoid dragon appeared behind him. "Salamance!"
Zaito's eyes widened. He knew it would be a waste to contest with the same skill because Znider's form was superior.
The blue dragon charged at Zaito. This version of the skill had a will of its own. There was no escape from it unless…
Zaito drew a card from his coat. He was pleased with what he got. The foundation of his confidence to win against Aoki despite the disadvantages rooted itself in the skill that even his sister or father could not conjure—Twisted Fate!
After his defeat against Aildrin, he spent most of his time in the room to study the skill. As his level increased, the probability of drawing the card of death decreased. And with the upgrade he added to his weapon, Fantasma, his luck increased. And luck was part of one's strength too.
Magic Mirrors!
The card in Zaito's hand displayed three mirrors. Three dragonoid flames then appeared before him and consumed Znider's attack. It caught his opponent off-guard.
Blue flames swallowed Znider. And the card that Zaito drew had finally sealed their fate.
The gaming cabin's glass was opaque. So, the audience did not see Zaito's smile inside before he came out of it.
Pacholo grinned like a maniac. He licked his lips while waiting for Aoki to come out.
Aoki came out of his cabin with chin still held high. "Tsss. A lucky win!" He then whistled his way out of the training room while glaring at those who dared to look him in the eyes, especially Pacholo, who flashed him two middle fingers.
Meanwhile, Zoraida stood by the exit. She had been there when the match started. Somehow, her little brother's win dampened the sense of loss inside her. If the result had been the opposite, the two of them would face severe consequences from their father.
"Hey, kid. Stay," Zoraida said, blocking Aoki's path.
"What? I don't wanna give your brother the satisfaction to excommunicate me! I'm leaving!"
"No. You will stay and help him in the Rookie Challenge. The Triple Threat Formation must continue. There's no better guild for Divines than Burning Orient. You know that."
Aoki hesitated.
Zoraida placed a warm hand on his shoulder. "You will use today's time to prepare for the Rookie Challenge. And in exchange, I will help you redeem your pride," she said before turning to the crowd, "Now take your lunch and return here, quick!"
The crowd scattered at the behest of Zoraida, and only Zaito remained.
"You did well, but you can't keep on relying on that double-edged skill," Zoraida said, remaining by the doorway. "It's time for you to learn that skill."
"What about you? I thought father reserved that tome for you?"
"My fate tells me you'll need it more. Win the Rookie Challenge and avenge our guild's defeat. Our hope for redemption rests on your shoulder. Aoki might be arrogant, but he's got the skill and grit. Tame him, and with Zedric's help, the three magicians would be unstoppable. So don't fail me, especially father."
...
After the river pulled Aildrin down, his screen darkened. He then found himself in a dimly lit, cramped space with an abysmal smell. Thick and green fluid lulled him along with some pieces of bones. He felt like he was inside someone's stomach who was suffering indigestion, if not for the small holes above that brought in light.
Aildrin gagged. "A sewer again? Can't they set-up a better place for their portals?"
[Welcome to the Town of Lazybones (Ruling Guild: Armada).] A pop-up appeared on Aildrin's screen.
"Wait, is that a human's voice?" someone grunted from above. Then the sewer shook and the ceiling above Aildrin cracked.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
SilentMild
SilentMild Another sewer adventure with Aildrin in the next chapter! Stay tuned :D And please don't forget to drop your initial reviews, comments, and power stones so we could reach more readers and create more content. Cheers!
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