Author's Preface
The next day, the arena was packed beyond capacity. Thousands more stood outside watching on massive screens mounted to the walls. Every television across the world was tuned in, every eye waiting to see if the boy from Columbus would show that power again.
"Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, to the 2026 International Team Ranker Tournament. Yesterday gave us clashes, drama, and one spectacular finish." Michael leaned toward his mic. "Can we expect more of the same today, Bob?"
"With what we witnessed yesterday, Michael, I think we may see Columbus challenge Germany before the day is out." A pause. "I don't foresee anyone challenging Columbus, though. Not after that performance."
"You heard it, folks. Right from Bob's mouth. Klaus is on stage. Let's see if that prediction holds."
Klaus stood at the center of the arena floor. "Today is the final day of the tournament. We've seen great promise from our awakeners. I'm certain everyone watching at home shares the same sentiment. The world feels safer with these men and women fighting to restore peace." He looked across the assembled teams. "Without further ado, let's begin."
The day carried on much as the previous one had ended. Teams settling scores. Nations fighting for pride over rank. The commentary team kept pace.
"Pretty standard stuff so far, folks."
"Nothing to write home about, Michael. Though one major upset worth noting, Team USA Dallas challenged North Korea for rank four and came out victorious."
"Bob, that puts four American teams inside the top ten. America came prepared this year."
"They did, Michael. Word is the American government has designated the entire central US a monster highway and is pushing to retake it. You'd need this kind of collective strength just to fight through the hordes."
"That's right. The entire central US fell during the initial gate breaks. It's been..." Michael stopped. "Wait. Looks like Washington DC isn't finished yet."
On the arena floor, Ryan stepped forward. He pointed directly at Blue and didn't move.
In the stands, Titus snapped his head toward Grayson. "Are you serious?"
Grayson smiled. "What? You dislike ambition?"
Down on the floor, Blue looked at Ryan. Then pointed at himself. "Really?"
Ryan didn't move. Blue looked back at the team. They were already standing.
Darrien leaned toward Chris as they walked up the stairs. "What the hell did we do to them?"
"No idea." Chris smiled. "But let's put them in their place."
"Hell yeah." Cynthia's head appeared between them.
Chris and Darrien both laughed. The team took their place on the arena floor. Ryan looked back at his team and nodded once. All five members quietly stepped off the stage. Their bracelets activated simultaneously, and they appeared in the stands.
"ARE YOU FUCKING STUPID?"
Darrien's voice echoed across the arena. In the stands, Grayson's expression went flat. He said it quietly enough that only the seat beside him could hear.
"Fool."
Ryan turned back to Blue and pointed at him. "One on one. Since you're so special, show me."
"Bob, the DC team just removed themselves from the arena. Their leader is demanding a solo duel with Blue."
"It isn't against the rules, Michael. We've seen this before. A gentleman's duel."
"Interesting strategy."
Blue looked at his team, confused.
Samantha clicked her tongue. "I don't have the patience for this."
She tapped Chris on the shoulder. Then she summoned her ice. It spread across the arena floor in silence, creeping until it reached Ryan's legs and locked him in place.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? ARE YOU A COWARD? FIGHT ME!"
Chris was already moving. He crossed the distance and leaned down slightly as he reached Ryan. "Are you dumb?"
Ryan left the arena floor and hit the barrier. Eve and the team walked off the stage calmly. Blue was the last one off. He glanced back at Ryan once and shook his head.
In the stands, Titus was laughing. "Ambition, huh?" He looked sideways at Grayson. "Quite ambitious. And quite fucking stupid, if I may add."
Grayson stared at the arena floor. "Piss off, Titus."
"Well, folks, I think we need a break after that intense battle."
"I'm hyperventilating over here, Michael."
"We'll be back shortly. Stay tuned."
In the arena, Elias sat with his arms crossed. Two days. Not one challenge. The other teams had fought each other, fought for pride, fought over old grudges, and not one of them had stepped up. It wasn't anger exactly. It was disappointment.
He finally stood and walked to the stage. "Folks, we're back sooner than expected. Germany's team leader, Elias, has taken the stage. He does not look happy."
Elias looked out across the arena. "Are you all cowards?" His voice carried without a microphone. "Two days. You hold grudges against countries for things that happened before you were born. You talk tough. You act strong." He spread his hands. "And yet here we stand. Unchallenged."
The arena was still. "You call yourselves awakeners. The best your nations have to offer." He shook his head. "Pathetic. If I have to, I will drag every team in this building into this arena myself and beat the hell out of all of you."
No one moved. Elias turned and started walking back toward the stands.
Darrien stood up. "WE CHALLENGE THE FOURTH REICH."
"Well, Bob, it appears Team Columbus is attempting to start yet another international incident."
"Michael, someone needs to get that kid a muzzle."
"Rightly so, Bob. Rightly so. Well, folks, it seems we finally have it. The match everyone came here to see. Team USA Columbus, who took rank two from Russia yesterday, versus rank one Germany."
"This one is going to be a brawl, Michael."
Elias turned back around slowly. The frustration was gone. What replaced it was something closer to satisfaction.
"Then come." He opened his hands toward them. "Come pry rank one from my hands."
Eve and the team stood. Blue looked up into the stands and found Aaron. They locked eyes. Aaron was already smiling. Blue mouthed two words.
Vice guildmaster. Aaron laughed.
The team walked down to the arena floor and stopped. Germany was already there. Three S-rankers. The team that had held rank one for three consecutive years without being seriously challenged. Their goal for the entire tournament stood twenty feet away.
Elias looked at them. "I applaud your courage." A pause. "And your stupidity." He glanced at Darrien. "I'll let the Fourth Reich comment slide." He gestured toward the arena. "Now, shall we give everyone a show?"
Both teams nodded. They split to opposite ends of the arena.
Darrien looked at Samantha. "Can you do it?"
"Of course."
Eve stepped between them. "Wait, do what?"
Darrien grinned. "Just watch. We're going to put on a show."
He giggled. Samantha moved first. Water spread across the entire arena floor in seconds. The runes on her forehead lit up simultaneously, bright blue pulsing once as she pulled all three affinities at once. Flames came next. The water started boiling, steam rising in thick columns toward the ceiling of the arena. Then she pulled the temperature down. A block of ice formed in her palm, and she pushed the cold upward with her wind, driving it into the rising vapor. The arena watched. Dark clouds formed overhead. Slow at first. Then faster. Spreading across the entire space until the sunlight that had been pouring through the open roof was gone completely. Darkness took its place.
"Bob."
"...I see it, Michael."
"Are those..."
"Clouds. Yes. Those are clouds. Inside the arena. I don't know what's happening, but I'm afraid to look away."