Fireball Me!

Lord Varen raised his hand. "The rules are simple," he said in a cold voice. "Each team will kill as many Venomwings as possible. You have ten minutes. One point for each Venomwing you kill. The team with the most points wins."

Loren raised her crystal orb into the air. The orb shimmered and glowed as it began to slowly rotate, floating through the air like a drone watching everyone. "Recording begins," she said in a monotone voice. "The competition can start when all participants are ready."

"Sorry Boney Stark, this is a two-versus-two competition," said Boran and sent Boney back to his ring.

Boran looked around. The spectators were strangely quiet. Normally at a competition like this, you'd expect cheering, applause, even a few kind words. But this crowd was as if they were attending a funeral. Most had expressionless, almost blank looks on their faces.

"Isn't this... a bit strange?" Noemi whispered in Boran's ear. "Why are they so serious?"

Boran nodded. "Yes. It's like we're at a funeral."

"BEGIN!" Lord Varen's voice echoed across the arena.

Edmund sprang into action immediately. His expensive armor gleamed in the sunlight as he followed Lord Varen. The pair began running eastward, presumably following a predetermined route.

Boran turned to Noemi. "Ready?"

Noemi gripped her staff tightly. "Ready."

The pair set off, running westward. The crowd they left behind still watched them with the same eerie silence. Loren's crystal orb floated through the air, recording their every move.

As Boran and Noemi quickly advanced, they encountered their first group of Venomwings. Three creatures were wandering among the trees. Boran immediately rushed forward, raising his shield to use Taunt and letting out an uncontrollable shout.

The Venomwings reacted instantly, showing their sharp teeth as they charged at Boran. Noemi stood a few steps back and raised her staff. "Magic Bolt!" A blue energy sphere shot from her staff, hitting the foremost Venomwing and throwing it backward.

As the Venomwing approached, Boran used his "SSB!" ability with his shield. The creature stumbled for a moment and rolled to the ground. "Nice shot!" Boran called backward, keeping his eyes on the creatures. "One more, come on!"

Noemi cast another spell, this time firing two Magic Bolts in succession. The first spell missed but the second found its mark, bringing the creature down. The final Venomwing rose from the ground with an angry hiss and shot its poisonous spines toward Boran.

"Watch out!" Noemi shouted. But Boran had already moved. He dodged to the side avoiding the attack, the spines embedding themselves in the trees behind him. Noemi quickly cast another Magic Bolt and killed the last Venomwing.

"Three down!" said Boran cheerfully. "Good start. Let's keep going!"

The pair continued running. Boran constantly surveyed their surroundings, always alert to protect Noemi. Twenty seconds later they saw a new group of Venomwings, this time there were five.

"This will be a bit more challenging," said Boran, gripping his sword tightly. "Ready?"

Noemi nodded, raising her staff. "Always."

Boran charged forward, using Taunt. All the creatures focused on him, attacking with their sharp claws. Boran skillfully maneuvered, blocking attacks with his shield.

Noemi cast spells in rapid succession without breaking her concentration. Magic Bolts drew blue lines through the air as they struck their targets, taking down the Venomwings one by one. One creature tried to circle around behind Boran but Noemi noticed immediately. "Behind you!" she shouted, quickly spinning her staff to cast Magic Bolt.

The spell hit the creature right in the head, its lifeless body falling to the ground. Boran quickly turned to face the last two Venomwings. "Great shot!" he called out, breathing heavily. "Let's take care of these last two together!"

Noemi took a few steps forward, gripping her staff with both hands. A Magic Bolt passed by Boran's side and struck the creature on the right. At the same moment, Boran struck the one on the left with his shield. Before the stunned creature could get up, Noemi hit it with another Magic Bolt.

"That's eight!" Noemi said excitedly. "At this rate we could win!"

Boran checked their surroundings, then turned to Noemi. "I have a better idea. Look over there by the rocks, there's a large group. I can see at least ten. If we go there..."

"Wouldn't that be too dangerous?" Noemi asked worriedly.

"Remember our plan," said Boran with a wink. "We'll gather them together and take them all out at once. Ready?"

Noemi took a deep breath. "Okay, but please be careful."

The pair moved toward the rocky area. Indeed, there was a large herd of Venomwings there. The creatures were huddled together, communicating with hisses. Boran and Noemi hid behind a rock.

"Okay, listen carefully," Boran said in a low voice. "I'll go out front and draw them all to me. You stay here and get ready. When I raise my right hand..."

"I know," said Noemi. "I'll cast Fireball."

Boran smiled. "Perfect. Let's begin."

He emerged from behind the rock and ran straight toward the Venomwing herd. Raising his shield, he used Taunt. "Hey! Over here! Come and get me if you can!"

The entire herd turned to him at once. There were twelve, maybe thirteen creatures. They all hissed at once, poisonous spines flying through the air. Boran protected himself with his shield, skillfully maneuvering and staying constantly in motion.

Noemi's heart was pounding as she watched from behind the rock. Boran was putting on an amazing display. He was moving the Venomwings around like a dance, managing to keep them all together. For a moment, Noemi wondered if he was truly brave or just stupid.

And finally, Boran's right hand went up.

Noemi immediately raised her staff, closed her eyes, gathered all her power, and sent a massive Fireball toward Boran.

The enormous Fireball that emerged from her staff traced a wide arc through the air before striking the center of Boran's shield. There was a bright explosion, and the creatures were thrown about with agonized screams.

When the Fireball hit Boran's shield, an intense wave of heat enveloped his body. Even behind the shield, the burning power of the flames scorched him everywhere. He clenched his teeth, barely keeping himself from crying out in pain. His knees trembled, and for a moment he nearly collapsed, but he managed to keep his balance at the last second.

He emerged from the rising cloud of smoke and flame with scorched pieces of armor but standing tall. Beads of sweat from the pain glistened on his face, but the determination in his eyes never wavered. His shield was still in his hand, its edges glowing red-hot.

"W-What a move!" someone from the crowd broke the silence. They could watch both groups on the hologram screen in front of them.

"Didn't that hurt him? How did he come out of there like nothing happened?"

"Look at his face, he's definitely in pain. I don't understand why he's not drawing his weapon. Maybe it's some kind of trump card?"

"I loved that spell. I wish I had taken Fireball too, it looks so cool..." said a wizard in his thirties.

Noemi ran to Boran's side. "Are you okay? Did it hurt a lot?"

Boran laughed. "I'm fine, don't worry. That was... amazing! That makes twenty!"

Noemi smiled too, but she was still worried. "You're really crazy, aren't you?"

"Maybe. But it works, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Noemi said softly. "It does."