Eric, Curtis, and Brad had been friends eversince they had met during the founding. Codee had specifically asked them to take a month off from teaching for a secret mission he had. Agreeing, they had teamed up to help David and his squad prepare for their upcoming mission into Formationist territory. Formationists relied on tricks and sneak attacks to defeat their opponents, so the team was preparing them for ambushes and such. Today's course was a capture the flag scenario through terrain not unlike Dantes: a lush forest, thick with underbrush. Although the squad was smart, they seemed to be unacustomed to formationist-style maneuvers. Eric watched as Penny was assaulted in the back with an energy sphere from Curtis, knocking her down.
"Always watch your backs" he said as he stepped down from his watchtower. "Formationists will use even the slightest lapse in caution to destroy you". Walking over to Penny, he helped her up. "The smallest mistake could mean the life of you and your teammates". Pointing to Brad, he hoisted himself back up to the top of the tower. "Again!", Brad yelled as everyone ran off into the forest. Eric puled out his infrascope as to better watch the team. Unlike the last few rounds, David finally snatched the flag from beneath Curtis's gaze and ran towards his base. Just before planting the flag and completing the mission, he found himself face to face with Brad's saber.
"Much better David!" as Eric yet again came down. "You finally learned to play against the rules. Using the local flora was unorthodox, but you all used it successfullyto complete a dangerous course.
"But master Eric, we never finished the course. If you failed to notice, master Brad is about to sever my neck."
"The point was not to win David, but to prove one could cheat and lose. The formationists believe that cheating only leads to winning, and when you travel to Dantes, I want you to prove them wrong. Tomorrow, meet us at the saber arena for dueling practice. Class dismissed."
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Instead of their usual rooms, the squad was staying in a travel pod. The pod was a small short-range ship equipped with anti-detection devices, as well as everything an entry team needed to live. No bigger than a large van, it had beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom. David tok a look at his team before nodding off to sleep.
Across from his bunk was Penny. The only female of the team, she proved her equality by her ferocity with a saber. Above her was Hitochi, the electronics whiz. He, like David, was somewhat secretive, spending long hours modifying his numerous gadgets. Tonight's project seemed to be his communicator. The pieces were scattered all over his bedroll, and Hitoshi was using his handheld soldering iron to yet again tinker with the recieving and sending ircuits, probably to increase their range. He had customized everyones comm unit to their own needs.
At the end of Davids bunk was Aaron. Aaron was the navigator of the unit. He had been able to drag them from some of the largest and most difficult courses none the worse for wear. He also had an excellent sense of smell, and a stomach to go with it. Across from him was the weapons expert Ramon. Ramon prized himself as the best sharpshooter at the Elementalist base, but since projectile weapons were not as common as before, his skill had not been tested. He carried custom weapons based on old twentieth-century firearms, that became deadly in his hands. His brother, Roberto, was below him. Even though they were twins, Roberto showed none of the agressiveness of his brother. Instead, he was the translator and diplomat of the team.
The other two members, Daniel and Gary, were the pilots of the group. They were outside the ship now, fighting over ships versus vehicles in warfare. Always at odds, the two friends could never beat each others arguments for their respective technology. "Stop fighting you two, and come to bed", David called, as he turned out the light in his compartment and tried to get some much-needed sleep.
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Fire. Fire surrounding all. People screaming, burning. Sirens. Explosions. Loud.
A ship, and the comforting darkness of oblivion.
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The Arena had once been the greatest achievement of Elementalist architecture. Situated on the far side of Alexia, Its center marked the exact spot that the original Starstream had touched down on Alexia. It was built as the gathering spot for all Elemenatlists across the galaxy. It had been replaced by the Elementalist Headquarters nearly two centuries ago. Although shadowed by the new building, the Arena was still an important Elementalist landmark. It was here that ceremonies and duels took place, as to keep the past of the great monument alive.
As David and his team stepped into the great hall around the circumfrence of the Arena, they stared in awe at its immenseness. Intricate designs covered all the walls, which were made with marble of alternating colors. Dragons with the most detailed scales, eyes, and wings alternated with other mythical beasts associated with the Elements. As the group travelled through the hall, they noticed at each fourty-fifth degree, an Elementalist symbol was carved into the wall, with a matching colored stone. In the center of each was a small crystal that glowed with the immense power it supposedly contained. It was rumored that the first Elementalists had transferred a portion of their power into them before they were eternally set into the carvings.
Seeing Curtis standing by a door leading further into the complex, the team strode into the grand courtyard. tiers upon tiers of seats surrounded them, as if awaiting the crowds that so rarely set upon them. The ground itself was a non-corrosive metal, except for a spot at the exact center of the yard. There, the original ground had been covered with a clear metal called Axtenium. Even after the many centuries of healing, the burn marks of the landing thrusters could be seen, a monument in itself to the greatness of the Elementalists.
Eric and Brad stood at the far end, waving the team over. Once there, Eric pulled out his saber. "One bond of unity between us and our formationist enemies is the honor of saber dueling. While dueling, combatants are left to themselves. No outside interference is permitted. If you violate the sacred rights of the duel, the field will become a mass graveyard. So, you must learn to defend yourself, without your teammates. Today, all eight of us have ventured to the Arena to teach you our knowledge of dueling. After pairing up, you and your master will be left alone until lunch, when youwill switch with a different master to complete your training". As if on cue, the remainder of the Master elementalists stepped out from behind the respective elemental banners, awaiting their students.
Brad pulled out his pad. "David, you will be paired with master Codee. Please remove yourself from the group and join over there".
David was nervous as he walked over to his mentor,but the reassuring smile Codee gave him settled his nerves. "Hello David, are you ready to duel?"
David smiled himself."Yes, master, but are you ready to lose?"