The Colosseum of Nieva was alive with thunderous applause, the air electric with anticipation. Thousands of spectators packed the towering stone tiers, their cheers reverberating through the arena like the roar of a mighty beast. The sky above was a dazzling expanse of blue, streaked with banners bearing the sigils of competing Tamers.
Floating above the center of the Colosseum, a massive projection of magical glyphs shimmered into view. Each letter glowed with ethereal energy, forming words visible to every corner of the stadium. The words pulsed once, and then a booming voice echoed across the arena, silencing the crowd.
"Welcome, one and all, to the Tournament of Tamers!"
The announcer proclaimed. His voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, carried by enchantments woven into the very walls of the Colosseum.
"The first trial awaits!" the voice continued, filled with a commanding presence. "Each competitor has been assigned a block: North, South, East, or West. Within your designated arena, your challenge is simple: reach the Magic Door and pass through to the central platform. Only two Tamers from each block will move forward."
As the announcer spoke, the projection shifted, displaying a vivid map of the Colosseum divided into four quadrants. Each block was distinct, its terrain designed to test the skills and adaptability of every participant:
Block A - North Arena: A frozen wasteland of jagged ice and swirling snow. The magic door stood atop a precarious glacier, and the path to it was fraught with icy winds and slippery slopes.
Block B - West Arena: A scorching desert with endless dunes and sinking sands. The door gleamed like a mirage atop a rocky plateau, its route guarded by unpredictable sandstorms.
Block C - East Arena: Ancient ruins cloaked in creeping vines and crumbling stone. The door sat within the remnants of a temple, hidden behind shifting walls and traps.
Block D - South Arena: A dense jungle alive with the sound of beasts and the rustling of leaves. The door stood in the heart of the forest, surrounded by a maze of towering trees and tangled roots.
The map lingered for a moment before fading away, replaced by swirling colors that signified the start of the trial. One by one, the competitors in each block were transported to their respective arenas.
****
Block C - East Arena
Ren landed with a thud in the midst of the ruins, the air thick with tension. The crumbling structures of an ancient civilization loomed around him, their weathered stones covered in moss and etched with forgotten runes. Vines slithered down the walls like snakes, creating a labyrinthine maze.
"Man, this is exciting!"
But before he could even take a step, the sound of shouting erupted behind him.
Two Tamers were already locked in a heated battle, their beasts snarling and snapping at each other. To Ren's left, a burly man with a massive, armored boar was charging at a smaller Tamer, whose feline-like beast darted around with lightning speed. Further ahead, another pair of competitors seemed on the verge of a skirmish, their voices rising in anger.
"Oh, a free-for-all."
A sudden explosion echoed through the ruins, shaking the ground beneath his feet. Ren spun around to see a Tamer using fire magic to blast through a wall, their beast – a flaming hawk – screeching as it took to the sky.
From above, a magical glyph appeared in the sky, glowing faintly before projecting the announcer's voice directly into their arena.
"Competitors of Block C, you are reminded that the trial begins when the Magic Door activates. Any conflicts before this are unsanctioned and done at your own risk. Proceed wisely."
Ren reached for his bond stone and released Zardlite in a flash of starlight. The lizard-like beast hissed, its sharp claws gripping the mossy ground as it surveyed the chaos.
Amid the cacophony of snarls, blasts, and shouted curses, Ren weaved through the ruins, Zardlite close on his heels. The chaos around him was thrilling, but he was far more interested in reaching the glowing Magic Door in the distance than getting tangled up in the fights.
"Ren, was it?"
A voice purred from the shadows of a crumbling archway.
He stopped and turned to see a figure emerging gracefully into the light. She was tall and striking, with long, silken hair that shimmered like liquid gold. Her armor was sleek and minimal, designed more for style than function, accentuating her poise and confidence.
Beside her padded a beast unlike anything Ren had ever seen. It was feline in shape, its body covered in gleaming obsidian scales that reflected the ambient light like shards of glass. Two curling horns jutted from its head, and its glowing emerald eyes regarded Ren with predatory interest.
"Whoa, that's one cool beast! What's its name?"
The woman chuckled, clearly amused by his enthusiasm.
"This is Onyxia, my shadow panther. She's impressed you noticed her before me."
Ren tilted his head, grinning.
"She's hard to miss."
The woman stepped closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"You know, this trial isn't just about strength. It's about strategy. And with this chaos, we could both use an ally."
Ren folded his arms, pretending to consider. But he's clearly more curious about the unique beast.
"A team-up, huh?"
"I can keep the other competitors off your back long enough for us to reach the door. And you, with that clever beast of yours, can help navigate these ruins faster than anyone."
Zardlite hissed softly, narrowing its eyes at the shadow panther. The two beasts exchanged tense glances, their instincts bristling against one another.
Ren glanced at Zardlite and then back at the woman, his grin returning.
"Sure, why not? A little teamwork sounds fun. Just don't slow me down."
The woman extended a hand, her fingers cool against his as they shook.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I'm Karina."
****
Block D - South Arena
A boy was standing on top of a rock and below him was a black wolf that is looking ahead with fierce confidence. The boy was smiling as if he already knew that he would win, he doesn't think about the other competitors, he just knows that he will win.
There's also a striking figure with a unique looking frog beast from a distance. The frog beast is red in color and has stones around its body, it also has red hair on top of its head.
Its tamer on the other hand, is a man with a mask that is hiding his face. The mask has a horn and a large mouth that looks like a devil from the otherworld.
****
Block B - West Arena
The desert winds howled, whipping up spirals of sand as the competitors spread out. Near the center of the arena, a boy stood still, his fine clothing unruffled, shielded by a shimmering magical barrier. His white dragon coiled lazily around him, its serpentine body sleek and ethereal, as if sculpted from the purest clouds. Both seemed utterly unbothered by the chaos around them.
From behind him, the sharp voice of a woman cut through the air.
"You plan on winning or not?"
The woman was a striking figure in a crimson dress, her shoulders bare despite the scorching heat. Black leggings clung to her legs, and a fiery bird hovered above her, its flames crackling and illuminating her fierce expression.
The boy didn't turn, didn't speak. Instead, he took a step forward, the white dragon stirring slightly as if in response. The barrier shifted with him, shimmering like heat waves, and the sands under his feet smoothed unnaturally as he walked.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
****
Block A - North Arena
The frigid winds howled through the jagged peaks of ice and snow, cutting through the air like a blade. The competitors of Block A stood scattered across the frozen wasteland, their breath misting as they prepared for the trial.
Among them were faces etched into the annals of Taming lore, a noble draped in furs, his gold-trimmed armor gleaming even in the dull winter light; a renowned beast hunter clad in reinforced leather, his eagle-like companion perched majestically on his shoulder, and a celebrated scholar, clutching a staff imbued with ancient runes, his owl-like beast hovering above him.
Yet, amidst these luminaries stood a figure cloaked in shadow, his tattered black robe fluttering in the icy wind. His face was obscured by a hood, and even his stance exuded an air of menace. Beside him, a massive beast loomed – a humanoid bear-like creature with fur as dark as midnight and piercing purple eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire.
A woman approached him, her steps confident despite the biting cold. She was dressed in practical yet elegant armor, with fur-lined gloves and a silver rapier hanging from her hip. Her beast, a lithe snow leopard, padded silently at her side, its blue eyes gleaming with intelligence.
"You've been awfully quiet. What's your game, stranger? Planning to sneak past us all?"
The cloaked figure turned his head slightly, just enough to make her aware of the purple glow emanating from beneath his hood.
"Don't get in my way."