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The crowds cheered and screamed as Tanks engaged in hand to hand combat on the other side. A Tamer used flying insects to swarm several opponents at once. A Fire mage used his flames to keep them at bay, but then got trapped a blonde Manic manipulating string. The Manic was then taken down by a different Tamer who used wolves, which Shasta snorted at as they came into view. It was chaos, and the people ate up every second of it.

As the sensor suits temporary paralyzed the fallen, those remaining on the right side dwindled down considerably. Team four only had three remaining members. Team five had two still, but only because they’d abandoned their other teammates, and had taken off down the course. Team six had five members left; the most on the right side. After some quick hand signals and odd noises; the five took off down their track; covering themselves from Team Four’s attacks as they went. The spectators exploded with their enthusiasm as they showed their training had paid off.

Tidas reached over and smacked Zas’ shoulder; “My money’s on Team Six reaching the end first!”

“I bet it’ll be the two from Team Four; I think them taking off was planned,” Zas countered as scratched underneath his chin.

Shasta scoffed loudly; “You’re both dumbasses! It’s obvious that either Team One or Three will reach the end first!”

“I agree with Shasta,” Skye added.

Shasta looked flatly at the princess, then back to Tidas and Zas; “I’d like to change my answer.”

“Ack! Whatever, Purball,” Skye retorted before refocusing on the trials.

.....

Tidas and Zas both gave Shasta a stern look as they heard a low growl coming from her. Skye had heard it too, but she didn’t care at the moment. Teams One and Three were very quickly moving through the terrain section of the course. They’d lost a member each when they entered the obstacle part. Booby traps were hidden everywhere, as well as RMC members. Their jobs were to do small attacks on the competitors, as well as monitoring their skills.

The majority of RMC members that participated were trainers, or top ranking officials. Including two generals, and several Captains that were known for their own skills. Qualifying them to be judges when they’d come up short-handed, due to the turnout. If not for their Demonstration Match, the Pillars would’ve been judges as well.

Teams One and Three met in the final open area as their tracks merged. The finish line was in sight, but the two teams clashed instead. Each had three Tanks, a Tamer, then one had an Earth user while the other had a Water. Skye watched the two elementals attack each other while trying to cover their teammates.

The Earth user was extremely proficient at protecting, but lacked skill in offense. The Water mage was an excellent attacker, until his water source ran dry. He’d had an extremely large jug of it on his back from a start, and several small bottles swung from a belt. His jug was empty, and his last three bottles went unused. The remaining two members of Team Five took him out on their way towards the finish line. But before they could make it through; Team Six came out from their section of the course.

The main rock wall kept the teams separated into threes until just over halfway. The setup of the course rarely changed; mainly just the obstacles and terrain. Sometimes circumstances, like today’s; forced alterations to it. The amount of Tanks, Manics, and Tamers accounted for well over half of the competitors. The course had been shortened, the open areas at the beginning and end were extended. Leaving plenty of room for the competitors to go all out.

The more they fought, the higher up their individual scores usually went. Intelligence also netted a hefty amount of points, but it was hard for a single person to gain. Unless their teammates specifically denied credit or involvement.

Strategizing was highly encouraged, though limited in time. The teams didn’t know the layout of the course until the day before the trials. Several elemental mages created the course every year, and didn’t discuss or plan anything; until everyone met the day of it’s creation. This cut down on cheating, but still gave the competitors a chance to coordinate and plan.

The teams had coordinated more than in previous years, but the amount of competitors had made it a prerequisite. If a team went in without a plan, their fate sealed; as demonstrated by Team Two. An assumed win on pure talent: no plan.

The remaining two members of Team Five were now facing the same problem. While Zas thought that their running away had been some kind of strategy, it was now obvious to all watching that they had abandoned their teammates out of panic. The two barely made it through the obstacles without taking a critical hit. They took out the Water user, but by pure luck. As they ran through the veritable battlefield, Team Six plowed them down.

“Damn! You called it again!” Shasta yelled over the crowds.

“Ahhh! I really thought those two had a shot!” Zas bellowed as his ears flicked and bent in irritation.

“But it’s not over yet! Look!” Skye pointed to the six remaining Tanks from both teams.

They’d suddenly stopped fighting each other, and went after Team Six. The crowds shouted and shrieked as the teams worked together again; adding a twist to the final stretch. Skye thought for sure that the six would overwhelm the five, but lost the feeling when she heard her husband chuckle. Turning to face him; Skye saw his arrogant, princely smile as he explained.

“It won’t matter; Team Six has won. All of them are Tanks, but the guys from the two teams are power-oriented. The guys from Six are,” Tidas didn’t need to finish; he simply pointed back to the arena.

Skye whipped her head about just in time to see the members of Team Six take off at incredible speeds. The spectators cheered so loudly that Skye had to temporarily plug her ears. It took them maybe thirty seconds to reach the finish. The spectators screamed and clapped as they broke the red ribbon at the end of the course.

The other competitors barely paused, now only concerned with their individual scores. As long as one of their teammates crossed the finish, and their individual scores were good enough; they would be accepted into the RMC. Teams Two and Five had been disqualified completely, but the others still had a chance.

One of the Tanks from teams One and Three took off down the track, to qualify their respective teams. They still fought as they ran; slamming into each other along the way, trying to knock each other over. The two tied as a result of their actions.

The remaining members scuffled for about ten minutes or so before those left standing ran for the finish. Personal placement didn’t really matter past the tenth person that crossed the line. The reason many stayed back was to rack up points. Damage taken, inflicted, or evaded affected individual scores much more than their ending placement.

Out of the forty-eight competitors: eighteen were accepted into the ranks of the RMC. The thirty remaining could attempt the trials again the following year, but many wouldn’t. They would become discouraged, and either return to basic service, or go home. It was a sobering fact for the princess as she watched several grow men cry over their loss. The crowds both heckled and encouraged them to try again; making their situations worse.

Skye was floored by what she’d seen. The Water and Earth mages used techniques she would’ve never thought of on her own. She’d seen an almost uncountable amount of attacks and strategies, and barely had an ideas that could’ve countered them. The princess didn’t know what she’d been expecting to see or learn, but a very hard truth was self evident; Skye was Not ready for the trials in any way.

The Water mage used mist to create illusions. Tricking several mages into attacking nothing while their teammates took out the distracted opponents. The Earth mage used rock walls to protect their comrades, a technique the princess was familiar with, due to Maevis. He’d also shifted the ground beneath his fellow competitors’ feet to destabilize them; something Skye would’ve never considered doing.

Excitement and dejection fought for dominance within the princess. Everyone’s warnings rattled about in her brain, causing doubt to take root. If she’d participated this year, Skye was completely sure that she would’ve failed. And most likely would’ve given up on joining the ranks completely..

“Out your head, love.. Your place is here, with me,” Tidas whispered in his wife’s ear as her features had begun to turn disheartened.

Not thinking; Skye asked out loud, “Is it? Do I honestly deserve it?”

With confusion and a tinge of pain, Tidas replied; “What? Of course you do! Why would you think you don’t?!”

Skye shook her head, not wanting to discuss the topic, considering where they were. Shasta had heard her words, and put her arm on the princess’ shoulder like a friend normally would. A cocky smile covered her face as she spoke to her best friend’s wife.

“That was a funny one! Those idiots had no idea what they were doing, and you’re intimidated by them?!” Shasta sneered; “Haha! And YOU want to join the RMC?! You do realize we fight in wars, right? No sensor suits, no bowing out; just victory or death. A pretty little princess like you could never handle it..”

Shasta removed her arm and flashed a condescending smile; “We don’t run towards a finish line, we make one with the blood of our enemies..”