Trial of the Mountain (Filler Story)

The dust had settled. The battlefield was quiet.

Jimmy stood, blindfold steady, coat still catching the last flickers of electricity in the air. Across from him, Gavel exhaled deeply and called Tremorlyn back into its mind's garden.

Jimmy made and array. Luna's battered form dissolved into a thread of blue light, vanishing into the mind's garden.

They locked eyes.

Gavel crossed his arms.

"No handshake?"

Jimmy gave a slow shake of the head, and signed back with a faint smile:

"Same for me."

Neither bowed. Neither blinked. They simply turned and walked towards their room —silent warriors returning from the storm.

The explosion of lightning had drawn them in from streets and buildings nearby. Now murmurs swept through the growing crowd:

"That electric call... Did anyone see that coming?"

"Who is that kid?"

"That wasn't a standard Whisp. That was something... else."

"Did Gavel lose? Or did the other boy win?"

"No. It was a draw. But barely."

Whispers clung to Jimmy's trail like mist. Some eyes were curious. Others calculating.

He enter into his room and came to balcony.

The moment passed.

Fifteen minutes later, Jimmy stood near the balcony, a water bottle in one hand and Peeko curled up on his shoulder, already asleep from the rush of excitement.

Then—a horn blasted across the city.

People turned upward.

Above the rooftops, a massive balloon-like aircraft slowly rose into the violet evening sky — glowing with soft lights and trailing long streamer banners.

A voice echoed from crystal amplifiers across the plaza:

🎙️ "Contestants, please report to the South Ground at exactly 8 PM. After that, our Lucky Gate will close. Do not be late."

🎙️ "This year, we welcome the most promising batch of young Whisp Masters in our province's history. And we thank all of you — citizens, mentors, and challengers — for making it unforgettable."

🎙️ "Good night, city dwellers and rising legends. Tomorrow, the sky begins to change."

As the announcement faded into the stars, some families cheered. Others hurried off with their young Whisps in tow. Lights across the battle towers turned a gentle blue — the city's own way of saying "rest now, for tomorrow will burn."

Jimmy stood in silence, gaze fixed on the airship.

Luna is healing herself.

.......

The moonlight filtered through the windows of Jimmy's room, casting soft reflections on the wooden floor. The room was quiet—peaceful even—with only the sound of a light breeze and distant murmurs from the plaza outside.

Luna lay coiled near the far wall, calmly observing Jimmy as he checked over his gear. Her fur shimmered faintly in the dim light. From time to time, she blinked slowly—always watching. Always waiting.

Then came a familiar rustle.

Peeko darted across the bed and landed squarely on Jimmy's table, wings flaring slightly as he puffed his chest.

"Ta-ta!"

Jimmy looked up from his pack.

Luna gave a half-interested yawn. "ononnnn..... onnnn... Oh no, here comes the drama bird again…"

Peeko flared his feathers, glowing lightly with embers. He strutted across the table like a miniature general reporting for duty.

"Ta! Ta-ta! Ta!"

Jimmy signed back, calmly but firmly:

"You want to fight in the tournament?"

Peeko gave a fierce nod and narrowed his eyes. A tiny flame crackled from his beak.

Jimmy's fingers moved again.

"Sorry, Peeko. You're not quite ready yet."

The spark dimmed in Peeko's eyes. He tilted his head, wings drooping.

But Jimmy added with a gentle smile:

"Want to test?"

That was all Peeko needed to hear.

"TA!"

He leapt into the air, spinning once mid-flap, and hovered before Jimmy's outstretched palm.

"Okay. Make a fireball. Right here."

Jimmy held out his hand steadily.

Peeko narrowed his eyes, focused—and conjured a glowing ball of fire, about the size of a grapefruit, right onto Jimmy's palm.

The heat tickled his glove. The flame danced. It was beautiful… but too big.

"Smaller," Jimmy said aloud.

Peeko scrunched his face.

The fireball crackled—

And… still the same size.

He gritted his beak and tried again. His feathers puffed in frustration. Still too big.

Luna, now clearly watching, let out a low chuckle. "ononnnnn..... Control, little one. It's not about how loud you shout — it's about how deep you breathe."

Jimmy smiled faintly and closed his hand, extinguishing the flame gently.

"Control first, Peeko. Learn to shape your fire. If you became powerful in next one month I will let you fight in matches."

Peeko stared at the empty air. Then gave a quiet "...ta…" and nodded. He understood.

For exactly two seconds.

Then—

"TA-TA-TA!"

Peeko took off around the room, bouncing off the walls, tumbling over the bedsheets, tapping Luna's ear and laughing like a mischievous sprite. Luna rolled her eyes and gently tripped him with her tail.

"Again." she muttered.

Just then, the door creaked.

The boy from before — the cheerful one who'd made referee — peeked in and grinned. "Yo! You're still awake? Mind if I join the chaos?"

He stepped inside, and soon he and Peeko were chasing each other in circles, flinging soft pillows, while Luna summoned tiny bubbles to trap them both.

Even Jimmy chuckled, tapping a small beat on the wall as Peeko rolled across the floor in a nest of laughter.

By 11 PM, the room was finally quiet again. Peeko curled into a soft nest near Jimmy's feet. Luna rested upright, ever alert. Jimmy stared at the ceiling for a while, then drifted into sleep.

At midnight, Mr. Goat peeked into the room without a sound, just checking. A small smile formed under his moustache.

............

At 7:45 AM, Jimmy arrived at the massive coliseum ground near the edge of the city. He tapped his phone to confirm the notification — a message had pinged his Codex with a simple instruction:

Report to base. Battle plan will be revealed live.

By 7:50, a humming energy filled the air.

A giant broadcast crystal hovered above the stadium. The gathered crowd hushed as it activated.

A bold voice roared:

🎙️ "Attention, contestants! Today's format is unlike anything you've faced before."

The crystal screen flickered—revealing a colossal mountain beyond the city's walls. Its peak was hidden behind mist, its slopes tangled with ancient ruins and dense vegetation.

🎙️ "This… is the Trial of the Mountain."

Gasps rippled through the young trainers.

Jimmy raised his phone and zoomed in.

He could see it now—narrow paths, wild terrain, glowing glyphs… and something moving among the trees.

Twenty-five contestants stood near him. Some wide-eyed. Some already tapping strategies into their Codex.

🎙️ "This isn't a 1v1. Or 2v2. This is free format."

🎙️ "You'll start at the mountain's base. Each of you carries a contestant tag. If it's taken, you're out. And yes—teaming up is allowed."

🎙️ "1v1? 3v1? 8v8? It's up to you. This is survival of instinct, strength, and intelligence."

🎙️ "Expect terrain traps, wild Whisps, and rival hunters. This isn't a walk. This is the crucible. Medics and teleport wards are stationed all along the path — don't worry, if you lose, you'll be safely extracted."

🎙️ "Remember — if you lose your badge, you lose the right to rise."

🎙️ "The top five who reach the peak will enter the Champion's Bracket. And only one... will stand above."

The crowd around the coliseum erupted in cheers. Even trainers who weren't participating roared from the viewing decks. 6 big screen appeared by 24 whisps.

Jimmy took a breath.

Luna made an simple sound from his mind's garden.

He whispered softly:

"Don't worry. We'll win."

## I am sorry guys, I want to continue, but I have to make many whisps and their moves, so I will take a break for today and tomorrow. Rest well or get any idea, comment section is for you all.