Divine Beast Ascension

537 Avalanche Colosseum

After nearly two suns weathering the storm outside protective formations, Oli and his team found it easier than ever to relax inside the dilapidated inn. Though no one used the ice baths for training anymore, the team still used them to cool off while spending the next three days training. With the courtyard out back, there were sparring matches every hour with meditation breaks in between. Apart from meals, that’s all the Rot Team did.

Three days passed faster than anyone of them had anticipated. But they were all excited to see what the second round of the qualifier would bring.

As the sun rose, Zelsh and the Rot Team were already leaving the inn, for good this time. Trantor tagged along as well since he would be allowed to spectate.

To the team’s surprise, Zelsh didn’t lead them to the palace. Zelsh took them to the east side of the city. There was an unbelievable amount of traffic heading that way, but no one dared stop or slow Zelsh. This time, he wore a cape with the emblem of Rot Region displayed on his chest. All the locals understood the meaning of that cape and such an emblem, clearing a path as best they could.

But Zelsh wasn’t pushy. He was patient and waved to anyone that acted friendly. Eventually, the team saw their likely destination in the distance.

“Master Zelsh,” Oli asked aloud, “is that where we’re heading?”

“Mhm! Avalanche Colosseum, where the entire city will gather to watch all kinds of events, including the decennial qualifier,” Zelsh explained while smiling back at the crowd. “There’s also a section reserved for kings and the masters of any registered candidates. It’s too bad Treeda won’t be coming, but we’ll be seeing her when we head to Nightscape City for the next qualifier.”

The team stayed quiet while entering the colosseum. They took in the view when they realized how the enormous building truly was. There had to be at least six floors of seating, and the third floor was the one at ground level. The first and second floors were dug into the ground. But the building was so wide that having so many seats didn’t negatively affect the arena at all, leaving enough room for multiple teams to fight at once if needed.

Zelsh was quickly picked up by the colosseum’s security and the team was escorted to the first level.

.....

“Keep quiet. Just follow the rules and enter the arena when your number is up. If you lose, then just head back to your seat until the qualifier ends,” instructed Zelsh. “Only three people can qualify, so I’m sorry that I don’t believe anyone of you will make it apart from Oliver. But I would love to be proven wrong, so go all out.”

Everyone nodded before the team was escorted to the lowest row of seats on the first level and Zelsh was led to the reserved section of the first floor. Trantor was taken with the team but was given a seat in the row directly behind them, allowing him to sit with the team without representing them.

“Please, take a seat,” the colosseum staff stopped and bowed to Oli’s team. “These seats are for you. Apart from the reserved section, the first row of seats is exclusively for candidates. We’ll keep a staff member on either side of your team as well to keep the interactions between teams to a minimum for security reasons. When called to enter the stage, you’re free to hop over the ledge and you’re welcome to climb back over when exiting the arena.”

The Rot Team nodded in silence. They were glad to have things explained clearly but it was evident that there was no bias between teams. Even the teams that had lost the first round had seats reserved for them. And not a single security guard showed any emotion of any kind, only displaying a straight face at all times.

Sitting down, Oli spoke to the team, “It seems they’re used to teams antagonizing each other. I guess that’s what it means to allow killing among the candidates. It’s likely impossible to get far in the competition without antagonizing someone, unless you’re the one getting antagonized.”

The team took that in and spent the next few moments looking at all the candidates around the arena.

“Yo, Oli-ver, I don’t see Karos!” Yeter said loudly.

Oli and the others quickly noticed the same thing. Oli remarked, “That’s… weird. He’s the only candidate missing…”

Next, Oli turned his attention to the reserved section. There, Oli spotted more familiar faces than he expected. Not only was Zelsh sitting alongside Rhyner, but he was also sitting next to his grandpa. And Vloz was right next to Bradok as well. “Yeter. Did you find Zelsh?”

“Huh, isn’t he just– OH! Master Zelsh! Master Bradok! And Dean Vloz!” Yeter shouted while lifting his hoof to try and wave.

But none of them noticed the waving stallion. They were too busy talking amongst themselves, likely in a silent formation.

Oli continued to look through the reserved section and developed a sound theory. “They said the reserved section is for kings and masters of the candidates. Then that means territory leaders can come too. But… I’m guessing the only territory leaders to come are those with a powerful standing inside their regions… But why have both Bradok and Vloz come, and how did they both get entry into the reserved section?”

“I don’t know, but they’re here!” laughed Yeter, prouder than ever since Iron Territory had the most representation present among all territories. “Now I can’t lose! I have to do Masters Zelsh and Bradok proud!”

The entire team turned to Yeter with a hint of curiosity. Oli asked the question on everyone’s mind, “They’re both your master?”

Yeter nodded boastfully while sticking out his chest. “Yes! Masters Zelsh and Bradok worked together to teach me my essence armor. After that, I moved to Bore City for one-on-one training with Master Zelsh.”

Oli nodded. If he had ever seen his grandpa fight before, then Oli would’ve guessed that a long time ago. But it gave a bit of reason behind the strange essence armor Yeter had developed while Oli was isolated in that affinity formation. From the Yeter’s essence nature alone, Oli could finally deduce that the strange essence armor wasn’t Zelsh’s doing but Bradok’s. Knowing that made Oli want to watch his grandpa in a serious fight since Bradok was the only family member that Oli had never seen fight all-out.

“But why is Dean Vloz here?” Fulkar asked, recognizing the leopard as well. “They wouldn’t let a territory bring multiple representatives unless they were both kings.”

“That’s not the case,” Oli stated right out. “But I can’t answer your question either… Maybe… Vloz’s appearance has something to do with Karos’s absence, since Karos also represents Iron Academy?”

The team could only wait until more people piled into the colosseum. Luckily, they didn’t even need to wait an hour before someone walked out from behind the seat of honor. Someone stepped into the small balcony at the center of the reserved section and took her seat. The entire colosseum went silent from her presence alone, not even needing her to ask or signal with her hands.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Jeerda announced with a pleasant smile, “it’s time we begin the long-awaited event, this decade’s provincial qualifier!”

For only a moment, the crowd cheered and then went dead silent. The spectators already knew the decorum and rhythm of the ceremony, giving King Jeerda their full attention once more.

Jeerda continued, “First, we shall introduce this year’s candidates. Teams, please stand when I call out your region… Permafrost Region!”

The crowd went ballistic hearing their home region announced first.

“... Claw Region!”

They cheered again but far less than they had for Permafrost Region.

Jeerda introduced the third region, “... Rhyner Region! … These are the three regions that were eliminated during the first round.”

A mix of boos and cheers boomed through the colosseum.

“Now,” Jeerda moved on without batting an eye, “To introduce the four regions that have qualified… Feather Region!”

Adjusting far easier than Oli expected, the crowd went back to cheering with barely any boos still lingering.

“... Cave Region!”

By then, the crowd wasn’t booing at all.

“... Sardin Region!”

“Boooo!”

Suddenly, the crowd started booing louder than ever. Though there were still some people cheering, they had been completely drowned out by the majority of the crowd.

“... And Rot Region!”

Once more, the crowd seemed to be bipolar as it burst into roaring cheers. The applause was nearly as loud as it had been for Permafrost Region.

Seeing the confused expressions across the Rot Team, one of the security guards chuckled, showing a hint of a smile, “Permafrost Region’s biggest rival in exhibitions has always been Sardin Region. As for you guys, Rot Region is a crowd favorite because the eccentric King Zelsh tends to always bring entertaining candidates that put on a show.”

The Rot Team kept quiet but they offered the security guard a quick bow to thank him for the explanation.

“Now,” Jeerda shouted even louder, “it’s time to announce our wildcard candidates!”