Cutting through the desert the group head begins to race through a sandstorm. With the sand blowing through their face it began splitting the group into smaller ones of two.
"How can you see in this storm?"
[Obitiga]
"Did y'all forget your glasses?"
[Crystal]
"Glasses?"
[Twilight]
"Did I forget to mention, it's the best tool you could bring with you. A pear of Iggles."
[Empat]
"Do you have any extra?"
[Twilight]
"Nah we gave our last one to Sirisa, good luck either way boys!"
[Sirisa]
Speeding past the other two players lagging behind their group Empat and Crystal make their way towards Sirisa. From what you could make out she and the Explosive Rider were still having a one on one. With her Barbia still in its upright position.
An explosion is sent thurling towards her Barbia, with the two of them being the first out of the storm.
"You are better than I thought, child!"
[Explosive Rider]
"Yeah, well you hurt my friend. So you know, I've got to make sure you don't do that again..or something like that."
[Sirisa]
"Your friend?"
[Explosive Rider]
"He was hit by one of your explosives."
[Sirisa - As her Barbia stomps an explosive into the ground]
"What's your name?"
[Explosive Rider - Reaching into his bag]
"Sirisa. Why do you ask? You aren't a stalker or something right? What's your name huh?"
[Sirisa]
"No, but you can call me TJ."
[TJ - As feeds a potion to his Animal]
"Goodbye."
[TJ]
An explosive begins to fly towards the confused Sirisa. With a tongue appearing to grab it, the creature Empat was riding spits the explosive back behind them.
"You mean to tell me you could do that this whole time?"
[Sirisa - As TJ dashes ahead]
With an explosion behind them the group gets an alert on their Lightsponders. Which were programmed before the race to alert racers of their placement. As well as allow for communication between teams. It seems the explosive had knocked out two players. Though most races do announce who is in what rank, this one did not just display the players personal ranking as well as showing an anonymous overall ranking.
*Alert*
"Two Players Down. Your Rank has increased 2 positions."
[Lightsponder]
"Well as you could see shit is dangerous."
[Empat - Seeing she is now in 5th]
"Hopefully it's not the others."
[Sirsa]
"Sorry to seem cold but can we stop talking and catch up!"
[Crystal]
The team begins to curve through the sandstorms and small crystals begin to appear within the sand. Switching back and forth as they made their way to Track E Sirisa, Crystal, Empat, Obitiga, and Twilight. More crystal rocks appear, with the Explosive Rider, and the three other riders ahead still making leeway the team made their way forward. As the last turn approached the sky above began to blacken. With nothing ahead but what seemed to be darkness Gixoh turns on the light on his lightsponder, also noticing the team had made their way into Track E.
"Where are we?"
[Sirisa]
"Not sure but if I had to say it'd have to be in an ancient Odirian Crystal."
[Crystal]
"What's that?"
[Sirisa]
"An Odirian Crystal is an ancient crystal. It was found back in the Time of the Great Calamity. Their crystals that were infused with corruption, causing what we now understand is the essence of corruption. If a creature or person absorbs it in any manner it will cause the same issues as a regular encounter with corruption."
[Crystal]
"So why are we racing through it?"
[Twilight]
"Honestly, I'm not sure this is the first year the Regional Committee is having us go through this Track. I think they plan on adding it or something."
[Crystal]
"It does look like one of the new ones."
[Empat]
"Just be careful of corruption. With the Explosive Rider ahead we don't know what may happen"
[Twilight - As an explosive sets off]
With the dust from the crystals pouring down, Crystal casts a cleansing spell. It creates a small cloud above the head of each player. Approaching the dust that descended the group begins to notice above the clouds above them raining.
"So these clouds can protect us?"
[Gixoh - looking up at the cloud above him]
"Yeah it is one of my combination skills. A little bit of water, wind, and healing magic."
[Crystal]
"Healing magic?"
[Sirisa - Now more intrigued by Crystal]
"You can heal?"
[Twilight]
"Not really, I have basic nature skills that kinda work like healing."
[Crystal]
The skill began to wear off as the team exited the Oridian Crystal Cavern. On the other end the two other riders were waiting for them. Shooting off what seemed to be a set of feathers. With the team unprepared they had no choice but to take the full descent of the feathers that were sent at them. Piercing into each of their animals and taking them out of the race.
"Who were those two?"
[Twilight]
"The Jugo Twins, they are typically in every race during something dirty. So I'm not surprised it's them."
[Crystal]
"Are these poisoned?"
[Twilight]
"Let's hope not, I can't really do any spells that work on our animals without my staff."
[Sirisa]
"Can your Animals still make it?"
[Empat - As she gets her Animal back on its feet]
"How'd you do that?"
[Gixoh]
I guess I got lucky I didn't really get hit by anything?
[Empat - As she mounts her Animal]
"Do you think you can help us?"
[Crystal]
"Nah one of us has to win am I right?"
[Empat - As she fires a shot at Crystals Riding Animal]
"Otimar!"
[Crystal - As she frantically races to bandage her Animals wound]
"Well, I hope you have a great rest of your life."
[Empat - As she rides off]
"Sirisa help! Do you have anything to wrap the wounds with?"
[Crystal - Wrapping as quickly as possible]
Still in shock no one moves.
"Y'all! Help!"
[Crystal - Still trying to apply pressure]
Snapping back to their senses the group begins to rush in to help Crystal.