Summertime Event (3)

When the concert ended, the crowd slowly dispersed, their excitement still palpable in the air. Xin was about to pack up when Cornett, the man in the suit, approached him with a look of sheer admiration.

"You were fantastic up there," Cornett said, his voice brimming with genuine appreciation. "You've got a real talent, kid."

"Thank you," Xin replied, smiling modestly.

Cornett hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. "Listen, that guitar you were playing... It's a special piece. I want you to have it."

Xin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious?"

Cornett nodded. "Absolutely. You brought it to life in a way I haven't seen in years. It belongs with someone who can make it sing like you did."

Xin was speechless for a moment, then accepted the guitar with a heartfelt "Thank you. I'll take good care of it."

Meanwhile, Cole was still mingling with the crowd, most of whom had started to leave. Stephanie, the new guild master of Silver Skies, seized the opportunity to approach him. 

"Hey, Cole," she said, her tone attempting casualness.

Cole turned, slightly clueless as he often was in social settings. "Hey, Stephanie. That swimsuit looks good on you."

Stephanie's face, usually composed and expressionless, softened just a fraction. She appreciated the compliment more than she let on. She attempted to start some small talk, which was not her strong suit.

"So, how are you finding the festival?" she asked.

Cole shrugged, smiling slightly. "It's nice to have a break from all the chaos. Good to see everyone having fun."

Stephanie nodded, trying to keep the conversation going. "Yeah, it's important to unwind. I've been so busy with the new responsibilities as guild master. It's overwhelming sometimes."

Cole looked at her, genuine curiosity in his eyes. "How are you handling it? Must be a big change."

Stephanie appreciated his interest. "It is, but I'm managing. Just trying to do my best, you know?"

Cole nodded. "I get it. Leading a guild is no small feat. But from what I hear, you're doing great."

As the festival continued, the atmosphere grew even more festive. Jin Lei, a formidable figure with a commanding presence, approached Cole with a challenging glint in his eye.

"Cole," Jin Lei called out, his voice carrying over the chatter of the crowd, he walked up to Cole the two up against each other face to face against each other exatruding a dangerous aura. "How about we settle this with a challenge?"

Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A challenge, huh? What do you have in mind?"

"Volleyball," cole replied, a smirk playing on his lips. "And to make it fair, let's form a contract to reduce our strengths to that of an B rank. We don't want to destroy everything around us, do we?"

Jin considered for a moment, then nodded. "It's been quite some time since we played but it Sounds good to me."

As the two shook hands to seal the contract, Luka sidled up to Stephanie and whispered conspiratorially, "You know, I heard a rumor that Cole and grandmaster Jin Lei used to be in a party together a century ago. They've been rivals ever since."

Stephanie's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Really? That explains a lot."

With the contract in place, it was time to pick teams. Cole, ever the strategic thinker, chose Cassidy first, followed by Mark, who was unsuccessfully trying to slip away after just settling in to relax. Next, he picked Leah, Belial, and Jonathan.

Jin Lei, on the other hand, picked Luka, who was practically bouncing with excitement. He then chose Xin, Jonathan, Stephanie, and finally, Gael, who forcefully joined the team, eager for a challenge.

As they gathered, Luka's eyes lit up with recognition. "Wait a minute, you're Xin,THE xin?? the rising music artist?! I'm a huge fan!"

Xin blinked in surprise, then smiled. "It's a bit odd to have a guild master as a fan, but I'm happy to hear it."

'Oracle a little help on how to play this game?'

[Affirmative.]

The two teams assembled on the makeshift volleyball court, the anticipation building. Spectators began to gather, sensing the impending excitement. The players took their positions, the air electric with competitive spirit.

The match began with a burst of energy. Leah served the ball with lightning speed, her technique refined and powerful. To a random passerby, it would seem Leah was an A rank, her precision and strength unmatched.

Natalie, however, was not fazed. She skillfully received the serve, the weight of Leah's technique evident in the impact. Natalie and Leah had a history; they used to be on opposing volleyball teams in their younger years. Leah's team had been the number one in the whole country, with Natalie's team always just a step behind.

Leah quickly sent the ball to the setter, Xin. With perfect form, Xin set the ball high, creating the perfect opportunity. Jin Lei, with immense force, leaped into the air and spiked the ball down with a ferocity that echoed across the court.

The ball slammed into the ground on Cole's side, scoring the first point for Jin Lei's team. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, already engrossed in the fierce competition. Cole's team quickly regrouped, their determination unwavering.

"Nice play," Cole called out, his competitive spirit ignited. "Let's show them what we've got."

Cassidy, Mark, Leah, Belial, and Jonathan nodded, their focus sharpened. The next serve would be theirs, and they were ready to bring their A-game.

The sun was setting on the beach, casting a warm orange glow over the sand and waves as the volleyball match reached its thrilling conclusion. With just ten seconds left on the clock, the score was tied—each team with 20 points. The tension was palpable as both sides gave it their all in the final moments.

Jin Lei received a powerful pass from Xin, infusing the ball with a slight ether charge that made it buzz with electric energy as he sent it flying over the net. Belial, on Cole's team, managed to intercept an extremely fast ball that almost slipped past him. With a quick reflex, he directed it towards Leah, who set it up perfectly for Cole to spike.

Cole leaped into the air, ready to deliver the decisive blow. However, Gael and Xin on Jin's team anticipated his move and jumped to block. Their synchronized effort managed to deflect the spike, but the ball landed just inside their court, scoring a point for Cole's team.

The crowd cheered as Cole's team gained the lead, but Jin's team wasn't ready to give up. With determination, they managed to score the next point, tying the game once again at 21-21.

With the clock ticking down, Cole knew they had to act fast. Cassidy served the ball with precision, aiming to catch Jin's team off guard. The rally intensified as both teams exchanged powerful spikes, precise sets, and skillful digs. The ball flew back and forth, each side refusing to let it drop.

In the final moments, Cole received a set from Leah and unleashed a thunderous spike. Jin Lei, renowned for his blocking skills, positioned himself to intercept. However, Cole's spike had an unusual spin to it, catching Jin Lei off guard. Despite his best efforts, Jin Lei couldn't control the ball, and it landed on their side of the court.

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the match. Cole's team erupted in cheers as they celebrated their hard-fought victory. Jin Lei looked slightly disappointed but maintained his sportsmanlike demeanor as he shook Cole's hand gripping it with slight electricity.

"I guess that makes this 538 wins to 536 losses," Cole remarked, teasing Jin Lei.

"You've gone senile, old man. It's 538 to 538," Jin Lei retorted, a hint of agitation in his voice.

"Who are you calling senile, you overgrown lizard?" Cole replied with a grin, earning a chuckle from those around them.

"I'm hungry," said Belial, his stomach growling as they settled on the sand.

"That took a lot out of me," Xin added, flopping down and watching the moon rise.

But then Belial caught a scent that made him forget everything else. It was familiar, enticing—a scent that led him to a figure in full black armor wearing an apron.

"Raven?" Belial said, surprised.

"Who would've known—" Cassidy started, equally surprised at Raven's culinary skills. 

"That smells good, what are you making?" Cole asked, curious.

"Takoyaki!" Belial interjected eagerly, not letting Raven get a word in.

"And other meats. Please wait a moment, it's almost ready," Raven replied calmly.

Soon, the tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked takoyaki and grilled meats filled the air. The group gathered around, enjoying the food and each other's company under the evening sky.

Meanwhile, on a beach near a cliff, Jin and Cole sat together with drinks in hand, reflecting on the day.

"This takes me back, to when there were five of us," Cole reminisced, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"Today brought back memories, especially when I momentarily locked eyes with that demon. He's 'her' offspring, I presume?" Jin remarked casually.

Cole paused, caught off guard by Jin's observation."So you've also noticed," Cole replied after a moment.

"How can I not? Having fought that woman shook me to my very core.He has the same eyes as her...he is bound to be a fine warrior." Jin explained, his tone serious.

…

In the forest where the guild wars took place, the remnants of ancient battles were still evident. The towering trees stood as silent witnesses to the clashes that had scarred the land, their bark bearing the marks of countless skirmishes. The undergrowth, thick and tangled, whispered secrets to those who dared to listen. Amidst this untamed wilderness, the Holy Order of Knights had established their temporary camp, their gleaming armor a stark contrast to the moss-covered ruins surrounding them.

The knights moved with purpose, their expressions grim. They had scoured every inch of the forest, but their search had yielded nothing. Frustration hung heavy in the air as they gathered around their leader, Sir Alaric, a man whose steely gaze and commanding presence inspired both fear and respect.

"We've searched the northern quadrant thoroughly," reported Sir Cedric, his brow furrowed with concern. "There's no sign of him. It's as if he vanished into thin air."

Sir Alaric's eyes narrowed, and he stroked his beard thoughtfully. "We've covered every possible hiding place. How can there be no trace?"

A younger knight, Sir Rowan, shook his head in disbelief. "How much commotion can one person cause? This whole forest feels... disturbed."

"It's because we're dealing with an S-rank hunter," replied Sir Cedric, his tone grim. "Lex isn't just any adversary. His skills are unparalleled, and he knows how to evade capture. We're hunting a ghost."

Sir Alaric tightened his grip on his sword, his resolve hardening. "We must be cautious. Lex is not only an S-rank hunter but also someone who dabbles in the darkest of arts. We need to be prepared for anything."

The knights fell silent, the weight of their task pressing down on them. The Holy Order had been investigating the area for weeks, but every lead had turned into a dead end. They were starting to lose hope when, suddenly, a blinding beam of light descended from the heavens, illuminating the dark forest like a divine spotlight.

Adrien, one of the more observant knights, felt a shiver run down his spine. "Do you see that?" he whispered, pointing towards the light. "We must follow it."

With cautious steps, the knights trailed behind Adrien as he made his way through the dense forest, the beam of light guiding their path. It led them to a secluded clearing, an open field bathed in an otherworldly glow. In the center of the clearing, something dark and viscous pooled on the ground, glistening ominously under the heavenly light.

Adrien approached the substance, his curiosity piqued. As he knelt down, the other knights formed a protective circle around him, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. He dipped a finger into the liquid and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply.

A realization dawned on him, his eyes widening in shock. "This... this is blood," he murmured, "but it's darker than any blood I've seen."

Sir Alaric stepped forward, his expression severe. "How can that be? It's only been a few days. Blood shouldn't darken so quickly."

Adrien's heart pounded in his chest as the truth hit him. "This isn't just any blood," he said, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and awe. "This is... black blood."