" Destiny
Desire for the soul
Eternal for the time
Simple for the heart
Task for the mind
Ideal for the dream
Narrow for the life
Yours forever"
- a poem created by Ayano_Ann (me)
After meeting her mother, Sophie felt much stronger and ready to face the people.
The main goals of the opening were to present the participants in the tournament and to be able to communicate with the people and see who the contenders for their Guardians will be. It was held in the form of a ball where each participant was presented individually.
That's what all these preparations were for. From early morning, a whole team of about 50 people had come to prepare the hall, the food and the lists, so that everything would be worked out to the last.
The opening was headed with the moon's rising. Sophie was in Nation group like everyone else. Then she saw her mother on stage. She, the Queen of Aqua (so-called the Water kingdom), with her greatness and unseen beauty and self-confidence, was ready to announce the official opening of the Tournament, and Sophie was going on the stage as her only daughter and heiress to be side by side.
"My dear subjects," she began," and beloved guests, today we are gathered on the eve of the full moon to see and get to know our participants before they leave on the field. Then they will survive a long and difficult week, full of obstacles and dangers to determine the Chosen ones. "
She turned to Sophie with an encouraging smile and continued. "Let us welcome my dear and only child, for the first time in this dangerous competition, Princess Sofia Rainfire!"
As soon as she said those words, it was Sophie's turn to take the stage in front of all these people. She could feel her feet shaking with anxiety. There was a sense that her heart would explode out of fear: as we had said before, Sophie was afraid of the audience even more than the monsters and battles.
But despite her unspeakable fear, she boldly stepped forward, and the strong light for a moment blinded her. Applause could be heard from everywhere and even whistling, pleased to see their heiress. As soon as Sophie opened her eyes, she saw their smiling faces and their joyful exclamations and warm a wave of happiness flooded her face.
Next to her mother were standing the other rulers. Selena held her hand encouragingly, and together they raised their hands in the air, knowing exactly what was next.
"Let the International Magic Tournament begin! " they shouted in one voice, and the applause intensified.
Even in the joyous and noisy crowd, Sophie managed to catch a glimpse of Axel, under his Fire Flag, smiling and cheering on how brave she was, and delighted her even more.
Then the presentation of the other participants began, starting with the Water Nation and ending with the Fire Nation.
Isabelle was dressed in a long light green dress, descending on veils and studded with diamonds. Around her hips, the dress was in turquoise dark green and had a silver, tied like a braid, belt.
A white silk scarf covered her shoulders and like the dress, was studded with diamonds forming different shapes and flowers. Her magical-white hair was now long and slightly styled in curls around the edges, and a wreath of wildflowers adorned her head. Her face was simple but natural.
She looked like a samodiva (a mythical creature from my native legends; a wild girl from the woods with, loose, mostly curly, hair and flowers in it; wood nymph)
Sophie couldn't stand it and looked at Lucas. He watched the heiress of Cristalia (that was the name of the Earth kingdom) with great delight and joy written on his face as if he had been struck by thunder. Isa herself noticed it and shone even more with happiness.
"Oh, Sophie! You look amazing! As a queen of the night sky! I saw Axel staring at you like he was looking at the stars!" Isabelle hugged her as soon as she found her.
"You too, Isa, look at you! I have never seen you with long hair!"
"Well, a little change isn't harmful, and I can shorten it anytime, " she responded and chuckled.
"You look perfect, cousin! I told you a long haircut would suit you! You should've seen the look of your Romeo!" Valentina declared.
She looked like a goddess. She had a long figure-hugging and dissolving at the end like a flower red dress.
A host of roses adorned her shoulders. Her long hair was on one side, supported by a hairpin with rubies and emeralds.
"Haaa, are you sure he didn't look at you with your beauty?" Isa replied without paying attention for not making a comment about "Romeo".
Tina only smiled at her. 'Someday you will find out yourself exactly who he was watching', she thought.
It was the brothers' turn. They were dressed in classic costumes. Axel had a dark blue with a little white dahlia (a kind of flower). Lucas, to Isabel's big surprise, who was expecting a rose just like for Tina, wore a white lily with a crystal centre.
As soon as Axel saw Sophie, he ran towards her and hugged her. He was left speechless and didn't even know what to say to her and how to express his excitement, so they just stayed hugging for a while.
"Oh, charmer! Are you doing your magic again? You're leaving me speechless again! he could barely quell the surprised tone and stared at her.
"Oh, stop teasing me! At least today don't annoy me!" Isa wondered to herself how she would ever allow a thought of the kind that he was stunning to define such an irritant.
"Oh, yes, this is for you, Soph. You look lovely, and I think this is the perfect flower for your beauty!" he told Sophie as soon as he let her out of his arms and gave her the dahlia.
"Thank you very much! But why are you giving it to me? Isn't that part of your outfit?"
"Well... before the opening, we were told that we should pick a lady for the prom and buy her a flower that we think she would like. Of course, I chose you. I know how much you've loved dahlias since you were a little girl. This one is just like you, gentle and beautiful as the night sky and stars! "Sophie was very fascinated and took the flower.
"Wait a minute...then" Isabel looked at Lucas and noticed how ashamed he was. For a moment she was speechless.
"Didn't I tell you? You bewitched me, Isabella. I know how much you love lilies, and this one even has a crystal that brightens the color...like you…"
Lucas was shocked to say it, but it was the truth, even though he was completely confused. He expected that now she would laugh at him and say "Haha, good joke! Did you really pick me? No way!" But that's not how it happened. She slowly took the flower. There was a blush all over her face as she whispered "Thank you! I will keep it safe!"
They were later joined by:
Mariana was in an elegant knee-length dress in light blue and slightly colour-changing as she moved in. In her hair, there was a pearl tiara in tone with her necklace.
Teresa was wearing a dark purple dress descending behind her back. Her hair was flowing freely. A necklace with small crystals was decorating her neck.
Sabrina had a short light blue dress and with just a little snowflake in her hair and icy make-up.
And Minako in a blue kimono with a pattern of white roses. In her hair, there was the typical for her powers crystal roses which brightened her face.
They were accompanied by Eric, Nick and Matteo. Like all boys, they were wearing suits, designed for their Nation and character.
Eric approached Tina, bowed with a smile and handed her a flower created by him with his element. Tina smiled largely. As soon as she took it, their powers interacted. The flower acquired scarlet red colour with a dark green handle. It shone like a rose made of crystal. They barely noticed it staring at each other and everyone else marvelled.
The Bearfire children watched disgruntledly as their crushes were taken under their noses while they were in the company of Stephen and Ron. Camille was dressed in an outrageous red dress but didn't impress Lucas at all, who didn't even look at her. Stefan kept looking at Sophie.
Mary was wearing a white and simple dress befriended Laura who was wearing a short black diamond dress and little feathers in her hair, Rebecca with a purple-green flower pattern sari and Florencio and they were chatting together.
And so, their last free and light day passed. Tomorrow they would be in the arena and the real battle was about to begin.