Odyn and War Cry's fight commenced as Saber Tooth watched. Odyn smirked. What took place left Saber Tooth literally questioning their life's decisions as the battle if you could call it that between Odyn and War Cry was so one sided and over so quickly that half of Saber Tooth didn't even know what just happened. Sting and Rogue saw, as well as the other wizards from their team participating in the games.
What they saw was nothing short of pure, strategic, domination from Odyn. And they knew it was aimed at them. This wasn't a display, it was a warning and a stern one... a reminder of the beast they'd unintentionally awoken within Odyn. If Jiemma didn't get the warning before, he did now. And though he didn't show it, internally he felt Odyn's true power and it made him feel something he never thought he would- genuine fear.
A Lesson in Power
The moment Odyn stepped into the arena, the air changed. It wasn't just the usual pre-battle tension - it was something older, more primal. War Cry took his position, trying to maintain his usual confident stance, but there was a visible tremor in his hands.
"Begin!" Mato called out.
War Cry immediately opened his mouth to unleash his signature magic - but that was as far as he got.
In the space of a single breath, Odyn moved. There was no dramatic buildup, no showy display of magic circles, no battle cry. One moment he was standing calmly at his starting position, the next he was directly in front of War Cry, a single finger pressed to the man's forehead. Azure runes spiraled out from the point of contact, so intricate and densely packed they looked like liquid light.
"Ryuumajin Art: Sealed Heavens."
Those three quietly spoken words were all it took. War Cry's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed like a puppet with cut strings. The entire exchange had taken less than five seconds.
The stadium fell into absolute silence.
In the Sabertooth section, Sting's mouth hung open in shock. Rogue's eyes were wide, his usual composure completely shattered. They had seen every moment with their enhanced Dragon Slayer senses, and that was precisely what terrified them. Odyn hadn't just won - he had demonstrated a level of magical control and precision that made their own abilities seem crude in comparison.
Minerva's perfectly manicured nails dug into her palms. She had caught glimpses of the magical formula in those runes - ancient scripts that made her own territory magic look like a child's finger painting.
Rufus stood perfectly still, his Memory Make magic working overtime to record every detail. But even he knew that simply memorizing this magic would be useless - this was the product of centuries of refinement, of understanding magic at a fundamental level he could barely comprehend.
And Jiemma... the guild master of Sabertooth sat rigid in his seat, his face a mask of stone. But those close to him could see the slight tremor in his massive frame, the way his magical pressure fluctuated erratically. For the first time in seven years, Jiemma felt something that shook him to his core: the presence of power that wasn't just greater than his own, but existed in an entirely different dimension.
"V-victor: Odyn of Fairy Tail A!" Chapati's voice cracked as he made the announcement, still trying to process what he'd just witnessed.
Odyn turned and began walking back to his guild's section. As he passed the Sabertooth booth, he paused for just a moment. His orange eyes met Jiemma's, and the slight smile that crossed his face carried a clear message: 'This wasn't even a fraction of what I'm capable of.'
In that moment, Sabertooth's mighty guild master understood with crystal clarity - they hadn't just awakened a powerful opponent. They had drawn the attention of something ancient and terrible, something that had walked Earthland when dragons still ruled the skies. And he had just demonstrated, with elegant simplicity, that their seven years of dominance meant absolutely nothing in the face of such power.
As medical teams rushed to attend to War Cry, Wendy watched Odyn return with a mix of awe and affection. The swift, precise nature of his victory somehow made it more impressive than any flashy display could have been.
"Next match," Chapati announced, his voice still shaky, "Roy of Lamia Scale versus Orga of Sabertooth!"
In the Sabertooth section, Orga's usual confident smirk had vanished completely. He was about to face the younger brother of the man who had just demonstrated power beyond anything they had prepared for. And judging by that morning's exhibition match, Roy was every bit as capable as his brother.
The message had been received. The only question now was: how much more thoroughly would it be driven home?
The Weight of Legacy
The arena hummed with nervous energy as Orga made his way down to the field. His usual dramatic entrance was conspicuously absent - no booming song, no crackling black lightning. Instead, he moved with the careful deliberation of a man walking through a minefield.
Roy stood waiting, his posture a mirror of his brother's - relaxed, almost casual, yet somehow more solid than the stone beneath his feet. Unlike Odyn's orange eyes, Roy's were a deep emerald, but they held the same ancient wisdom that seemed to look straight through his opponent.
"Both contestants ready?" Mato's voice wavered slightly. "Begin!"
Orga didn't hesitate. Black lightning erupted around him in a tempest of raw power. "120mm Black Lightning Cannon!" The attack split the air with a deafening crack, carrying enough force to level a building.
Roy didn't move.
The lightning struck an invisible barrier inches from his face and... changed. The black electricity twisted, its color shifting to a deep crimson as if being filtered through stained glass. Roy raised one hand, fingers moving in precise, elegant patterns. The transformed lightning began to dance around him like a ribbon in the wind.
"Ryuumajin Art: Echo of Elements." His voice was soft, almost contemplative. "You use God Slayer Magic - impressive. But you've barely scratched the surface of what it means to channel divine power."
The crimson lightning condensed into a perfect sphere above Roy's palm. With a gentle gesture, he sent it floating toward Orga, who stumbled backward, his face pale with recognition. This was his own magic, but refined, purified, elevated to a level he hadn't known was possible.
The sphere stopped inches from Orga's chest. "Do you understand now?" Roy asked, not unkindly. "True power isn't about destruction. It's about understanding. Control. Harmony."
Orga's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees. The sphere of lightning dissipated into harmless sparks that danced around him like fireflies. "I... I forfeit," he managed to whisper.
In the stands, Makarov watched with wide eyes, his thoughts racing. He had known the brothers were powerful, but this... this was beyond anything he had imagined. These weren't just strong mages; they were living pieces of history, carrying knowledge and traditions that predated the founding of the magical council itself.
Sting turned to Rogue, his voice barely audible. "Did you see how he... he didn't just block the attack. He understood it. Changed it. Like he was speaking to the magic itself."
In her private box, First Master Mavis Vermillion smiled, her ethereal form flickering with excitement. "Fascinating," she whispered. "So this is what magic looked like in the age of dragons. Not just power, but wisdom. Not domination, but dialogue with the fundamental forces themselves."
As Roy helped Orga to his feet, their eyes met. The God Slayer saw no mockery there, no triumph - only an offer. A promise that this defeat could be the first step toward true understanding.
"Victor: Roy of Lamia Scale!" Chapati announced, his voice steadier now, filled with something approaching reverence.
In the Fairy Tail section, Odyn nodded slightly, pride evident in his subtle smile. His brother had always been the better teacher of the two.
The message to Sabertooth - and to all of Fiore - was now complete. The age of brute force and intimidation was over. True power, the kind that had shaped the world itself, had returned. And it came not with a roar, but with a whisper of wisdom almost forgotten.
Jiemma's hands gripped his seat with enough force to crack the stone. Seven years of carefully cultivated superiority had been dismantled in less than an hour, replaced by the crushing weight of history itself.
The Grand Magic Games would never be the same.
The Shifting Tides
The massive lacrima screens throughout the arena flickered to life, displaying the updated standings. The crowd's murmurs grew as they processed the dramatic shifts in positioning that had occurred over the past few hours.
**Current Standings - Day 3**
1. Fairy Tail A - 45 Points
2. Lamia Scale - 39 Points
3. Mermaid Heel - 32 Points
4. Sabertooth - 31 Points
5. Blue Pegasus - 27 Points
6. Fairy Tail B - 25 Points
7. Quatro Cerberus - 15 Points
8. [DISQUALIFIED] Raven Tail - All points void
Chapati cleared his throat before speaking into his microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, with Raven Tail's disqualification following their attempted sabotage and illegal activities, their points have been nullified. Furthermore, their remaining matches will be considered forfeit wins for their scheduled opponents."
In the Fairy Tail stands, Makarov's expression was a mixture of satisfaction and lingering anger. The revelation of Ivan's schemes had been a bitter pill to swallow, but seeing justice served helped ease some of that pain.
The most striking change was Sabertooth's position. For the first time in seven years, they weren't occupying either of the top two spots. Their consecutive defeats at the hands of the Ryuumajin brothers had done more than just cost them points - it had shaken their very foundation.
"We'll be taking a thirty-minute intermission," Chapati announced. "When we return, we'll begin the next scheduled event! Teams, please use this time to select your participants wisely!"
In the Sabertooth section, Minerva's eyes narrowed as she studied the scoreboard. The gap wasn't insurmountable, but they would need to be perfect from here on out. More importantly, they would need to fundamentally rethink their approach. Brute force and intimidation clearly wouldn't be enough anymore.
Sting and Rogue exchanged glances. The twin dragons had been their ace in the hole, but after witnessing the displays of power from both Odyn and Roy, they weren't so certain anymore. The gap between their Dragon Slayer magic and what they'd just witnessed seemed to stretch like an endless chasm.
Meanwhile, in the Fairy Tail A section, Erza was discussing strategy with her teammates. "We're in the lead, but we can't become complacent. Lamia Scale is close behind, and Mermaid Heel has been consistently performing well."
Odyn, who had been quietly observing the scoreboard, finally spoke. "Points are important, but what matters more is what we learn from each challenge. The games are as much about growth as they are about victory."
Lucy nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Like how you didn't just defeat War Cry - you showed him there was more to magic than he'd understood."
The ancient mage's slight smile confirmed her interpretation. "Exactly. These games are changing more than just standings. They're changing how people understand magic itself."
As the teams prepared for the next event, there was a palpable sense that they were witnessing more than just a competition. They were watching the birth of a new era in magical understanding, one that bridged the ancient wisdom of the past with the energy of the present.
The only question was: who would adapt, and who would be left behind?
Odyn, the dark elf with orange eyes and blue hair turned to his guildmates. He addressed something that they'd need to monitor carefully. Saber Tooth would undoubtedly become more aggressive, now that they'd suffered concecutive defeats for the 1st time in 7 years from what he understood.
As such the guild who had reigned as the strongest in the past 7 years would likely shift the their strategies to try and defeat both him and Roy. However.. he smirked, Saber Tooth hadn't even begun to see his true capabilities yet. Sure there was the Dragon Crest and Perfected Ryuumajin forms, but.. the elven brothers had something even stronger that they hadn't shown just yet.
Wendy knew what it was- the form that had wounded Acnologia the dragon king back on Tenrou Island: The Blazing Arkynorean.
# Shadows of Greater Things
Odyn's orange eyes gleamed with an ancient light as he addressed his guildmates. The dark elf's blue hair caught the afternoon sun as he leaned forward, his voice low but carrying an undertone of steel. "We need to be prepared. Sabertooth won't take these defeats lying down."
Erza crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "You think they'll change their approach?"
"They'll have to," Odyn replied, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Seven years at the top has made them predictable. But cornered tigers are the most dangerous." His fingers absently traced one of the azure runes etched into his battle garb. "They'll likely target Roy and me specifically now."
Wendy watched him with knowing eyes, remembering that day on Tenrou Island. The day she'd witnessed something that still haunted her dreams - not with fear, but with awe. She could still see it: the overwhelming power that had made even Acnologia recoil, if only for a moment.
"But they don't know," she said softly, drawing curious looks from her teammates. "About your true power. About the Blazing Arkynorean."
The name alone seemed to make the air heavier. Lucy's eyes widened as she remembered the stories they'd heard about Tenrou Island, about the mysterious wound that the Dragon King had borne when he'd retreated.
Odyn's smirk deepened, but there was no malice in it - only the quiet confidence of someone who had walked the path of power long enough to understand its true nature. "The Dragon Crest form they saw in the exhibition match... the Perfected Ryuumajin techniques..." He shook his head slightly. "Those are but shadows of greater things."
"You wounded Acnologia," Gray said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Something even Gildarts couldn't do."
"Roy and I both did," Odyn corrected gently. "The Blazing Arkynorean isn't just a power-up or a transformation. It's something older than Dragon Slayer magic itself. Something from when the world was younger, when the boundaries between mortal and divine were... less defined."
Natsu leaned forward, his eyes burning with curiosity and excitement. "But why haven't you used it since then? In all our battles-"
"Because power isn't about domination," Odyn interrupted, his orange eyes suddenly ancient and serious. "The Blazing Arkynorean isn't something to be used lightly. It's a reminder of what magic once was, and what it could be again. Using it without absolute necessity would be..." He paused, searching for the right words. "It would be like using a divine flame to light a candle."
The gravity of his words settled over the group. They understood now - the brothers hadn't just been holding back. They had been teaching, guiding, showing glimpses of magic's true nature without overwhelming those who weren't ready to see its full scope.
Wendy's hands clasped together as she remembered the sight: Odyn and Roy, their forms wreathed in light that seemed to bend reality itself, standing against the Dragon King. The power had been magnificent, yes, but it had been the wisdom behind it that had truly left its mark.
"Let Sabertooth come," Odyn said finally, his voice carrying a hint of something ancient and powerful. "Let them scheme and plan. They're still thinking in terms of winning and losing." His smirk returned, touched with genuine amusement. "They haven't realized yet that these games are about something far more important than victory."
The others nodded, understanding dawning in their eyes. They weren't just watching their guild's triumph - they were witnessing the return of something ancient and profound, a power that could reshape their understanding of magic itself.
And if Sabertooth pushed too far... well, they might just get a glimpse of what true power really meant.
In the meantime, Wendy looked to her boyfriend [Odyn] the nearly 18 year old dragon slayer wizard locked eyes with her dark elf boyfriend. Odyn knew that a break was in order and for that matter that meant a lunch date was overdue for them. At the same time in Lamia Scale though not a couple yet, Chelia had shyly invited the blue and lavender streaked haired dark elf to accompany her for a bite to eat in the interim between events.
# Sweet Interludes
In the Fairy Tail stands, Wendy and Odyn shared a knowing look. The young Dragon Slayer's brown eyes met her boyfriend's orange ones with a warmth that seemed to soften the ancient power that usually resided there. Despite the intensity of the tournament and his recent display of overwhelming magical might, Odyn's expression gentled as he looked at her.
"I believe we're overdue for lunch," Odyn said, his usual formal tone carrying a hint of playfulness that he reserved solely for Wendy. "Would you care to join me, little dragon?"
Wendy's cheeks colored slightly at the nickname, but her smile was radiant. "I'd love to. I know a nice café not far from the arena."
As they prepared to leave, Lucy caught Wendy's eye and gave her a subtle wink, while Natsu was considerably less subtle with his thumbs-up behind Odyn's back.
Meanwhile, in the Lamia Scale section, a parallel scene was unfolding with its own sweet awkwardness. Chelia Blendy, the Sky God Slayer, was fidgeting with the hem of her dress as she gathered her courage. Roy, his blue hair streaked with lavender, stood nearby, seemingly lost in thought about the recent battles.
"Um, Roy?" Chelia's voice was barely above a whisper, her cheeks already turning pink. "I was wondering... since we have this break..." She took a deep breath. "Would you like to get something to eat? With me?"
Roy turned to her, his expression thoughtful but kind. Unlike his brother's orange eyes, his emerald ones held a gentler wisdom, and right now they sparkled with something that made Chelia's heart skip.
"That sounds lovely," he replied, his voice carrying the same ancient accent as his brother's but with a softer edge. "I've noticed a small restaurant in the marketplace that seemed quite charming."
Lyon, watching from nearby, tried and failed to hide his knowing smile. Sherry, standing beside him, clutched her hands together dramatically. "Ah, young love!" she sighed, though quietly enough that only Lyon could hear.
As both couples prepared to leave the arena for their respective lunch dates, there was a striking parallel between them. Both pairs represented bridges between the ancient and the present - powerful magic users from different traditions finding connection beyond their abilities.
Wendy and Odyn walked close together, comfortable in their established relationship, while Chelia and Roy maintained a shy distance, their potential romance still in its delicate early stages. Yet both pairs carried the same gentle aura of magic and possibility, a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, there was still room for softer moments.
The crowds parted respectfully for both couples as they made their way toward their destinations, though few could help stealing glances at these unique pairs. After all, it wasn't every day you saw ancient elven magic users and young Dragon/God Slayers sharing such tender moments.
The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city of Crocus, promising peaceful interludes before the competition would resume - moments where battles and standings could be forgotten in favor of simple companionship.
# The Observer's Amusement
As both couples departed for their lunch dates, Khanna-also known as Seraphina-observed the scene with evident amusement. The Mermaid Heel wizard's lips curved into a knowing smirk as her eyes drifted toward Lyon and the woman standing beside him. Sarai maintained a carefully neutral expression as she watched the pairs leave, though her eyes lingered slightly longer on Lyon than on the departing couples.
"Something funny?" Millianna inquired, noticing her guildmate's barely contained laughter. The cat-loving wizard tilted her head curiously, her feline-like senses detecting the undercurrent of mischief in Khanna's demeanor.
"Just appreciating the delightful irony," Khanna replied in a measured tone, keeping her voice low enough that only Millianna could hear. "For someone so perceptive in battle, Lyon Vastia remains remarkably oblivious to matters of the heart."
Millianna followed Khanna's gaze to where Sarai stood beside Lyon. The ice wizard was making some comment about Roy's magical technique, completely unaware of the subtle ways Sarai's attention kept returning to him-the slight tilt of her body in his direction, the careful way she considered his words, the almost imperceptible softening of her expression when he spoke.
"Your cousin?" Millianna whispered, her eyes widening with realization.
Khanna nodded, her smirk deepening. "Sarai has harbored feelings for him since their paths first crossed during a joint mission last year. Yet despite all his magical prowess and tactical brilliance, Lyon remains utterly blind to what everyone else can plainly see."
Across the stands, Lyon continued his analysis of the recent matches, gesturing enthusiastically as he spoke. Sarai listened attentively, offering occasional insights of her own. To the casual observer, they appeared to be nothing more than colleagues discussing strategy. But to Khanna's knowing eyes, every small gesture told a different story.
"Perhaps we should help things along," Millianna suggested, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes.
Khanna shook her head, her expression becoming more measured. "Love finds its own path, in its own time. Just as it did for Wendy and Odyn, and as it appears to be doing for young Chelia and Roy." She paused, watching as Sarai laughed softly at something Lyon said. "Besides, my cousin would never forgive me for interfering."
"It's strange, isn't it?" Millianna mused, gesturing vaguely toward where the couples had disappeared. "Ancient elves finding connections with humans so easily, while two humans can stand side by side yet remain worlds apart."
"The heart has always been the greatest mystery," Khanna replied, her voice taking on a philosophical tone that hinted at her own ancient wisdom. "Far more complex than any magic we wield."
As the arena began preparing for the next competition, Khanna allowed herself one final glance at her cousin and the oblivious ice wizard. Perhaps the romantic atmosphere that seemed to be blossoming throughout the Games would eventually reach them too. Until then, she would simply enjoy the entertainment of watching love's slow, inevitable dance.
# Unrequited Glances
As Khanna observed the various romantic entanglements around her, she couldn't help but reflect on her own heart's silent yearning. The lavender and black-haired dark elven woman maintained her composed exterior, but behind her carefully neutral expression lay feelings she had guarded closely for months.
Millianna, ever perceptive of her friend's subtle shifts in mood, followed Khanna's gaze as it drifted toward the Sabertooth section. There, partially obscured in the shadows as was his habit, stood Rogue Cheney. The Shadow Dragon Slayer maintained his characteristically serious demeanor, seemingly deep in conversation with Sting about their guild's unexpected setbacks.
"Speaking of oblivious," Millianna whispered with newfound understanding, a sly smile forming on her lips.
Khanna's expression remained unchanged, but a faint darkening of her cheeks betrayed her. "I have no idea what you're implying," she replied, her melodic voice carrying just the slightest hint of defensiveness.
Millianna's smile only widened. "For someone who finds Lyon's blindness to Sarai's feelings so amusing, you seem to have quite the similar situation of your own."
Khanna sighed softly, her ancient eyes reflecting centuries of wisdom that somehow offered no guidance in matters of the heart. "It's different," she finally admitted, keeping her voice low. "Rogue and I... we come from worlds that rarely intersect. He walks in shadows, while I..."
"While you've walked through centuries," Millianna completed for her. "Just like Odyn with Wendy, and Roy with Chelia. Different worlds finding common ground."
The elven woman allowed a rare smile to cross her features. "Perhaps. But Rogue Cheney has more pressing concerns at present than noticing the attention of a Mermaid Heel wizard." Her eyes lingered on the Shadow Dragon Slayer, taking in his thoughtful profile, the intensity with which he analyzed everything around him, the quiet dignity that seemed to envelop him like his shadows.
"You could simply speak to him," Millianna suggested, her tail swishing playfully behind her.
Khanna's laugh was soft but genuine. "And what would I say? 'Greetings, Dragon Slayer. I've walked the earth since dragons ruled the skies, and I find myself inexplicably drawn to your brooding presence'?"
"It would certainly make an impression," Millianna countered with a grin.
Across the arena, Rogue briefly looked up, as if sensing their attention. His crimson eyes swept across the stands before returning to his conversation, never lingering long enough to notice Khanna's gaze.
"When the time is right," Khanna murmured, more to herself than to her companion. "If the time is right."
The irony wasn't lost on her-that she who had witnessed countless empires rise and fall, who had mastered ancient magics beyond modern comprehension, who had faced dragons without flinching-could find herself hesitating before the prospect of revealing her feelings to a young Dragon Slayer.
But then again, perhaps that was the greatest magic of all-the way that matters of the heart remained equally mysterious whether one had lived for twenty years or two thousand. In that, at least, they were equals, dragon and elf alike.
# An Open Secret
Seraphina-as she preferred to be called now rather than her elven name Khanna-believed her subtle glances toward the Sabertooth section had gone undetected. She thought her composed features and casual demeanor had successfully masked the gentle flutter in her heart whenever the Shadow Dragon Slayer entered her field of vision. In this assumption, however, the ancient dark elf was mistaken.
Kagura Mikazuchi stood a short distance away, her sharp eyes missing nothing. The sword wielder had long observed her guildmate's lingering gaze whenever Rogue Cheney was nearby. Though Kagura rarely involved herself in matters of the heart, she had developed a protective instinct toward all members of Mermaid Heel-even one whose age and magical prowess far exceeded her own.
"Your interest in Sabertooth's shadow mage is becoming rather apparent," Kagura remarked quietly as she approached, her voice carrying no judgment, merely observation.
Seraphina's usually unflappable composure momentarily faltered. "Is it truly so obvious?" she asked, a hint of dismay coloring her melodic voice.
"To those who know you, yes," Kagura replied. She nodded subtly toward where Risley, Beth, and Arana stood, all pretending not to be watching their conversation with varying degrees of success. "We've all noticed."
A soft sigh escaped Seraphina's lips. "How mortifying. I, who once counseled elven royalty on matters of discretion, have become as transparent as a lovesick youth."
The faintest hint of a smile touched Kagura's lips. "There are worse fates."
Arana took this as her cue to join them, unable to contain her curiosity any longer. "He is rather handsome, in that brooding, mysterious way," she offered encouragingly.
"And powerful," Beth added, coming over with Risley in tow. "Though not as powerful as those Ryuumajin brothers, of course," she hastily amended.
Seraphina found herself surrounded by her guildmates, their expressions ranging from Kagura's measured assessment to Risley's barely contained excitement.
"I've existed for centuries," Seraphina said softly, her ancient eyes reflecting memories beyond their comprehension. "I've witnessed empires rise and fall, seen magic evolve and transform. And yet..." She paused, allowing herself a brief glance toward where Rogue stood with his guild. "There is something about him that calls to me. Something in the way he carries his shadows not as weapons, but as part of himself."
"The heart chooses as it will," Risley said with surprising wisdom. "Age and magic mean little in its decisions."
Kagura's expression remained neutral, but her voice carried a note of concern. "Sabertooth has not shown itself to be a guild that values the same principles we do. Their recent defeats may make them more dangerous, not less."
"You worry he might hurt me?" Seraphina's laugh was gentle, tinged with genuine amusement. "I appreciate your concern, Kagura, but I have weathered far greater storms than potential romantic disappointment."
"Besides," Millianna interjected, her cat-like grin widening, "haven't you noticed? He watches you too."
This revelation caused a rare moment of surprise to cross Seraphina's features. "Surely you're mistaken."
"When you're engaged in battle, when you're discussing strategy with us, when you think no one is paying attention," Millianna continued, clearly delighting in her friend's reaction. "His eyes find you more often than chance would allow."
The other women nodded in confirmation, even Kagura offering a subtle affirmation.
"Well," Seraphina said after a moment, regaining her composure though a new light had entered her eyes. "That is... interesting information to consider."
As the announcement came that the break would soon be ending, Mermaid Heel's strongest team shared a moment of camaraderie-an elite fighting force that, despite their focus on the competition, still found time to support one another in all matters, including those of the heart.
And if Seraphina's gaze drifted once more toward the shadow-wielding Dragon Slayer, her guildmates pretended not to notice-though they couldn't quite hide their smiles.
# Unexpected Light
Rogue Cheney stood at the edge of Sabertooth's section, his crimson eyes fixed on the arena below while his thoughts drifted elsewhere. The Shadow Dragon Slayer was accustomed to notice-to observe without being observed, to gather information from the darkness that others overlooked. It was a skill that had served him well as a mage of Sabertooth.
Yet lately, he found himself doing something unusual: being noticed, and in turn, noticing her.
Seraphina of Mermaid Heel. The dark elven woman whose lavender and black hair seemed to capture both shadow and light. At first, he had attributed his awareness of her to strategic necessity-knowing the capabilities of potential opponents was simply good preparation. But that explanation had grown increasingly hollow with each passing day of the Grand Magic Games.
"You're distracted again," Sting remarked beside him, his tone carrying equal parts amusement and concern. "That's not like you."
Rogue's expression remained impassive, but he felt Frosch shift slightly on his shoulder, the Exceed having also noticed his unusual behavior. "I'm assessing our competition," he replied evenly.
Sting followed his gaze, a knowing smirk forming on his lips when he realized it led not to the arena, but to the Mermaid Heel section. "Ah yes. Very thorough competitive assessment. Especially of that one particular mage."
Rogue suppressed the urge to sigh. Despite his best efforts at discretion, his partner knew him too well. "There's something... different about her," he admitted quietly. "Something ancient. Her magic doesn't feel like anything I've encountered before."
"I'm sure it's her magic that has you watching her every move," Sting teased, though he kept his voice low enough that only Rogue could hear.
Frosch looked up at Rogue with innocent curiosity. "Fro thinks Rogue likes the pretty elf lady."
A faint warmth crept into Rogue's cheeks, promptly banished by years of Sabertooth discipline. "Her magical presence is... intriguing," he said carefully. "I sense shadows within her magic that resonate with my own, yet they're different-older, more refined. It's academically interesting."
"Academic. Right." Sting's grin widened, but he mercifully changed the subject. "Jiemma's furious about our standing. He's expecting us to make up lost ground in the next events."
Rogue nodded, grateful for the return to guild business, though his thoughts continued to stray. The truth was more complex than he cared to admit, even to himself. There was indeed something in Seraphina's magical signature that called to his dragon-enhanced senses-a quality to her shadows that felt both familiar and entirely foreign. But beyond that...
There was a grace to her movements that spoke of centuries of refinement. A depth in her eyes that hinted at wisdom earned through ages he could scarcely imagine. A subtle strength that required no displays of brute force to make itself known.
In a guild that valued power above all else, where relationships were built on strength and domination, Rogue had never encountered someone who carried such obvious power with such elegant restraint. It was... refreshing.
"You know," Sting said after a moment, his tone surprisingly serious, "Sabertooth's changing. After what those brothers showed us... maybe it's time to reconsider what strength really means."
Rogue glanced at his friend, momentarily surprised by his insight. "What are you suggesting?"
Sting shrugged. "Just that maybe there's more to learn from our competitors than just how to beat them." His eyes drifted meaningfully toward the Mermaid Heel section. "Some more than others."
Before Rogue could respond, he felt it again-that subtle awareness that had become increasingly familiar. Allowing his senses to extend through the shadows that connected the arena, he confirmed what he already knew: she was looking at him.
For a brief moment, he permitted himself to look back, their eyes meeting across the distance. Something passed between them-an acknowledgment, perhaps. A recognition of kindred spirits, despite their different guilds, different magics, different existences.
Then the moment passed, both of them returning their attention to their respective guilds with practiced discipline. But something had changed-a connection established, a possibility acknowledged.
Rogue Cheney, the Shadow Dragon Slayer of Sabertooth, found himself confronting an unfamiliar emotion: anticipation. Not for battle or for victory, but for something altogether different. Something that had nothing to do with the Grand Magic Games, and everything to do with a dark elven woman whose shadows called to his own.
Paths Converging & The Shadow's Contemplation
Rogue Cheney stood on the balcony of Sabertooth's lodgings, the cool evening air a welcome respite from the day's tensions. The Grand Magic Games had brought unexpected challenges to his guild, reshaping what had once been absolute certainty into something far less comfortable. Yet his thoughts were not on Sabertooth's standing, nor on the strategies for tomorrow's events.
They were on her.
The dark elven woman from Mermaid Heel-Seraphina, he had learned was her preferred name. Despite his best efforts to focus on the competition, his mind kept returning to those brief moments when their eyes had met across the arena.
"After the Games," he murmured to himself, a rare indulgence in speaking his thoughts aloud when no one was present to hear them. "When guild rivalries no longer stand between us, perhaps then..."
He imagined approaching her without the weight of competition between them. A conversation unburdened by strategic considerations or guild loyalties. Just two beings drawn to each other by something neither fully understood.
What would he say to her? How would he explain the inexplicable resonance he felt with her magic, with her presence? Rogue was unaccustomed to initiating such interactions. The Shadow Dragon Slayer had always kept himself somewhat apart, even within his own guild.
Yet something about Seraphina made him want to step out of those comfortable shadows.
Frosch, who had been quietly sitting beside him, looked up with innocent wisdom. "Fro thinks Rogue should just say hello."
A small smile touched Rogue's lips. "Perhaps you're right, Frosch. Sometimes the simplest approach is best."
He decided then that when the Games concluded, regardless of the outcome, he would seek her out. One conversation-that was all he would ask for. One opportunity to understand why her shadows called to his own.
Little did he know how fate was already weaving their paths together, far sooner than he anticipated.
The Ancient's Reflection
In Mermaid Heel's accommodations across the city, Seraphina sat before a small mirror, brushing her lavender and black hair while her thoughts wandered along similar paths. Centuries of existence had taught her patience, yet she found herself uncharacteristically eager for the conclusion of the Games.
"Afterwards," she whispered to her reflection. "When the competitions are complete and our guilds no longer stand as opponents."
She had noticed his glances, felt his attention like a gentle touch across the distance separating them. The Shadow Dragon Slayer whose magic carried echoes of ancient darkness that resonated with her own elven heritage. In all her long years, few had captured her interest so completely with so little direct interaction.
Kagura's words from earlier echoed in her mind: "Sabertooth has not shown itself to be a guild that values the same principles we do."
Was she being foolish? Allowing herself to be drawn to someone whose guild stood for dominance and power above all else? Yet Seraphina had lived long enough to see beyond such surface judgments. She had glimpsed something in Rogue Cheney that his guild's reputation did not account for-a depth, a thoughtfulness, a complexity.
"After the Games," she decided, setting down her brush with gentle determination. "I will introduce myself properly. No matter the final standings."
She would approach him with the directness that centuries had afforded her. No games, no pretense-simply an acknowledgment of the connection they both clearly felt. Whether it led to friendship, to romance, or merely to greater understanding between their guilds, Seraphina found herself eager to discover its nature.
Unseen Convergence
Neither Rogue nor Seraphina could have known that destiny had its own timeline-one that would not wait for the Games' conclusion. As they both contemplated future meetings, events were already in motion that would bring them face to face far sooner than either expected.
The tournament organizers had just finalized the next day's matchups, and somewhere in the administrative offices of the Grand Magic Games, two names had been paired for direct combat:
Rogue Cheney versus Seraphina.
The announcement would not come until morning, but the paths they had imagined would cross only after the Games were already converging-drawing them toward an encounter that would test not just their magical abilities, but the strange connection that had formed between shadow and elf, between dragon and ancient, between two souls who had noticed each other across the crowded arena of fate.
Tomorrow, they would meet not as curious strangers seeking understanding, but as opponents representing rival guilds. And in that meeting, they would discover more about each other than any casual introduction could have revealed.
To be continued in Chapter 12: Awkward 1st meeting; Rogue vs Khanna!