Two on two match

Chapter 9

Two young men stood on the battlefield, their gazes locked, burning with determination. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble under the weight of their energy. Zero, the youth with coal-black hair, took a deliberate step forward, and his shadow began to writhe unnaturally, like a living creature born from nightmares. It expanded, growing monstrous and menacing, until it finally broke free from the ground, rushing toward Joon with terrifying speed.

“You know,” Zero said with a sly smirk, his voice dripping with mockery, “I’m glad it’s just the two of us. No one to interfere this time.”

Joon’s silver hair glimmered under the dim light as he leaped into the air with feline grace, narrowly evading the dark tendrils. His gaze was cold, calculating, and unwavering. But as he ascended, he sensed something amiss. Zero’s form had disappeared, and a chilling sensation prickled down his spine.

Zero materialized behind him, merging with Joon’s own shadow. The darkness coiled around Joon like a serpent, dense and oppressive, crawling under his skin and threatening to immobilize him. For a moment, panic flickered in his mind, but his resolve soon flared like a beacon.

A luminous bow appeared in his hands, conjured as if from thin air. It radiated an ethereal glow, silvery and pure, akin to moonlight. The arrows, shimmering like liquid light, hummed with destructive energy. Joon drew the bowstring, and its brilliance pierced through Zero’s encroaching shadow, scattering it like mist before a blazing sun.

The battlefield erupted in a blinding flash, followed by an eerie silence. Zero’s darkness receded, his breathing ragged as he steadied himself. Yet his eyes burned with renewed anger, and the shadows began to coalesce once more, denser and more ferocious, ready to consume all in their path.

But Joon was ready. Another arrow flew, slicing through the oppressive dark. The collision of light and shadow painted the arena with brilliance and gloom, an otherworldly dance of opposing forces. Each moment teetered on the edge of catastrophe when—

“Guuuuys!”

A melodious female voice shattered the tension, causing both young men to freeze mid-motion. It was Miki, her cheerful tone ringing through the air like a bell. She stood at the entrance, waving enthusiastically, her warm smile disarming even the thickest tension.

“Well, here she is,” Zero muttered with a half-smile, lowering his stance. “The Queen of Boom herself. Guess we should stop now, shouldn’t we?”

Joon and Zero exchanged a glance, their battle frenzy giving way to a mixture of disappointment and weariness. Though their duel had been but a training session, the intensity between them always bordered on the real.

“Hey, Miki,” Zero called, his shadow dissipating into the ground like smoke. His black hair fell into place as he exhaled deeply, trying to catch his breath. “Come down here already.”

Joon’s luminous bow faded into nothingness, leaving only a faint, silvery afterglow. His focus shifted to Miki, who skipped toward them like a bird descending to earth, her long hair flowing in the soft breeze.

“You’re early today,” she said, her voice playful. “Maybe next time you could wait for the others?”

“We were going to,” Zero began, brushing dust from his sleeve, “but the teacher said you were busy at the principal’s office with Aden and Damien.”

“Mr. Kim told you that?” Miki’s brow furrowed, though her tone remained light.

“Hey,” Zero interjected, his gaze drifting toward the entrance. “I thought we were the only ones allowed here.”

Following his line of sight, Joon noticed two girls entering alongside Aden. Zero’s expression hardened, suspicion evident in his narrowed eyes. He leaned toward Miki, whispering, “First time seeing them. Do you know who they are?”

Joon’s gaze lingered on the newcomers. One of them, with light blue eyes scanning the space, caught his attention. “Rumiya Suzukawa,” he murmured, almost to himself.

Miki’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Rumiya and Harabi,” she said, smiling. “My friends.”

Zero smirked, his tone laced with incredulity. “Friends? Never knew you were acquainted with the Kurosaki daughter.”

Miki shrugged. “Not exactly friends… at least, not yet.”

By then, Aden and the two girls had reached the group. Harabi and Rumiya bowed politely, their postures formal.

“Sorry for intruding,” Harabi said, her voice steady, “but Michelle invited us to watch the battle. We couldn’t refuse. I’m Harabi Kurosaki, originally from Nox.”

“And I’m Rumiya Suzukawa, from Soleil,” added the other girl with a quiet nod.

Zero chuckled darkly. “I’ve heard about you two. Big troublemakers, aren’t you?”

Harabi stiffened, her composure faltering under his piercing gaze. “Excuse me?”

“Word is,” Zero continued, his smirk widening, “you were the ones behind the fire incident a few days ago.”

“Zero,” Joon interrupted, his voice calm yet firm. He stepped forward, his expression softening as he looked at the girls. “Please don’t take my cousin’s words to heart. He often says things without thinking, but he doesn’t mean to offend. My name is Joon, and he’s Zero. We’re both Grimmwoods. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Rumiya nodded hesitantly. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Grimmwood.”

“Please, just call me Joon,” he said warmly, offering her a reassuring smile. “You are Miki's friends, and it means mine too. If we’re going to be friends, there’s no need for formalities. I’d be happy to call you by your name as well, Rumiya.”

Harabi raised a brow, glancing between Joon and Zero. “I suppose that would be fair. I don’t mind.”

Joon inclined his head graciously. “Thank you, Harabi. It’s truly nice to meet you both. If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Zero narrowed his eyes as the group’s chatter continued, his irritation mounting. The presence of new faces clearly put him on edge, and his usual mocking demeanor began to resurface.

“So,” Zero said, his tone sharp and probing as he looked directly at Harabi and Rumiya, “what’s the real reason you’re here? Watching battles doesn’t seem like your thing.”

“Zero,” Joon interjected gently but firmly, stepping forward to diffuse the tension. “That’s enough.” He turned toward the girls with a small, apologetic bow. “I’m sorry about my cousin. He doesn’t always express himself well.”

Rumiya hesitated, then nodded slightly, her gaze flickering between Joon and Zero.

Harabi’s eyes narrowed, but she remained composed. “It’s fine,” she said, though her voice carried a slight edge.

Before Zero could retort, a firm hand landed on his shoulder. Aden had stepped forward, his calm yet authoritative presence silencing the room.

“Zero,” Aden said, his tone quiet but commanding, “can I have a word with you?”

Zero stiffened under the older boy’s grip. “What now?” he muttered, irritation evident in his voice.

“Outside,” Aden replied simply, already steering him toward the exit.

Zero’s protests were muffled as Aden firmly guided him out of the training hall.

The remaining group watched them leave in silence, the tension slowly dissipating.

Miki exhaled dramatically, shaking her head. “Well, that’s one way to handle him. Aden’s the only one who can.”

Joon turned back to Harabi and Rumiya, his expression softening into a warm smile. “I apologize again for the trouble. I hope Zero didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

Harabi crossed her arms, her gaze still fixed on the door where Zero had left. “He’s... intense.”

Joon nodded, acknowledging her words. “He has his flaws, but deep down, he means no harm. I hope you’ll give him a chance. And,” he added, his tone earnest, “I hope we can all be friends. It would mean a lot to me if we could call each other by name.”

Miki clapped her hands, breaking the lingering tension. “Alright, let’s start our lesson. Harabi, Rumiya, you can watch from the stands. I’ll join you after.”

Rumiya glanced at Joon again, something in his polite demeanor catching her off guard. She nodded wordlessly, still unsure of what to make of him.

Miki approached her friends in the arena, her bright smile illuminating the space as though it were a sunny morning. Her steps were light, each one carrying an air of excitement. Pausing briefly, she glanced at her companions.

"Shall we start as usual?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

Zero crossed his arms, his expression serious. "We don’t have much time. Maybe we should skip the warm-up."

Joon, always the mediator, nodded in agreement. "That’s a good idea. Without Damien, we can do a two-on-two match. What do you think?"

Miki’s eyes sparkled with determination. "Alright. Let’s divide by magic. My Yang magic with Joon’s light magic—"

"And my Yin magic with Zero’s shadows," Aden finished, his tone calm yet focused.

The teams quickly formed, each pairing taking their respective positions in the arena. Miki stood beside Joon, her gaze briefly meeting his. Their synergy was undeniable, a perfect harmony that often gave them the upper hand. Yet, her eyes drifted toward Zero and Aden, her expression clouded with concern.

"Are you nervous?" Joon asked, sensing her unease.

Miki hesitated, then admitted, "I’m worried about Zero. He seems… annoyed."

Joon shrugged. "That’s just Zero. He always says what’s on his mind, even if it’s harsh."

Miki sighed. "But he doesn’t know when to stop. What if Aden gets angry?"

"Our prince has a cool head," Joon replied with a reassuring smile. "He won’t let Zero’s words get to him."

Across the arena, Aden and Zero stood in silent preparation. Aden stretched his fingers, his sharp eyes observing Miki and Joon. When Miki smiled at Joon, he looked away, a deep sigh escaping him.

"Does our prince wish he were on Miki’s team?" Zero teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Not at all," Aden replied coolly. "I’m focused on the match. They’re strong enough to be a challenge."

"You think they can beat us?" Zero’s tone was incredulous, though his expression betrayed a flicker of doubt.

"Perhaps," Aden admitted, his gaze steady.

Zero smirked, his confidence quickly overtaking his uncertainty. "Don’t worry, Aden. We’ve beaten them before. Confidence and strategy—that’s the key. And let’s not forget our secret weapon: me. We’ll win for sure."

The air grew thick with anticipation, an invisible tension binding all four competitors. The silence was palpable, broken only by the sound of breaths and the rustle of their movements. Then, without warning, the battle commenced.

Miki and Joon moved as one, their synchronization almost supernatural. Miki surged forward, her hands glowing as a radiant stream of energy shot toward Zero. Behind her, Joon drew his bow, his arrows shimmering with light, prepared to defend her.

Aden wasted no time, conjuring a wave of dark energy that hurtled toward Joon. Meanwhile, Zero crafted shadowy barriers to deflect Miki’s radiant assault.

Miki raised her hands higher, a protective light encircling her. The barrier pulsed with energy, repelling Zero’s relentless shadow strikes. Joon loosed an arrow, its bright trail slicing through the air and colliding with Zero’s defenses, creating a blinding explosion of light.

Aden stood unfazed amidst the darkness, his Yin magic absorbing the light’s force. Shadows twisted and coalesced around him, transforming into lethal constructs. Zero vanished into the swirling shadows, reappearing to unleash a barrage of illusions and shadow blades aimed at his opponents.

Miki, undeterred, intensified her protective field. The radiant light grew stronger, neutralizing many of Zero’s attacks. Her eyes burned with resolve as she shouted, "Joon, now!"

Joon’s next arrow struck Aden’s shadow constructs, each impact sending shockwaves of light across the battlefield. Aden retaliated with a wave of darkness, but it faltered under the relentless assault.

Zero, seizing an opening, appeared behind Joon. His shadow loomed larger, creeping toward his target. At the same time, Aden immobilized Joon with dark tendrils, holding him in place.

Miki’s determination reached its peak. She summoned a corridor of light, cutting through the darkness and allowing Joon to escape Aden’s grasp.

"This is our chance!" Miki yelled.

Joon fired another arrow, its brilliance unmatched. The light struck Zero’s defenses, scattering his shadows and leaving him exposed. As the battlefield erupted in a blinding glow, Zero stumbled, his form collapsing to the ground. Aden rushed to his side, concern evident on his face.

Zero’s gaze locked onto Miki, fury blazing in his eyes. "Wait… this can’t be…" His voice dropped, venomous and menacing. "Michelle."

The oppressive aura that emanated from Zero darkened the arena. Miki’s breath hitched as an overwhelming pressure forced her to her knees. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed.

Joon darted forward, erecting a luminous shield to protect them both. But Zero’s anger was far from extinguished, his power threatening to engulf them all.

Zero’s voice was menacing, its echoes reverberating throughout the arena. A shiver ran down Miki’s spine as his aura darkened, becoming oppressive and suffocating. His eyes burned with fury, and the malevolence radiating from him caused Miki’s legs to buckle. She collapsed to the ground.

Joon rushed to her, shielding them both with a protective barrier. Nearby, Aden, standing beside Zero, reached out in an attempt to calm his friend. But Zero pushed him away with a forceful gesture, his attention fixating on Joon.

“Zero, stop!” Aden shouted, but the words fell on deaf ears.

Zero charged at Joon, his magic spiraling out of control. Without hesitation, Aden summoned a massive cube of darkness, directing it toward his friend. At the last moment, the cube enveloped Zero, sealing him within. Aden exhaled in relief, lowering his hands as he turned toward Joon and Miki.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Aden asked, his voice sharp with concern.

Miki glanced at him and laughed nervously, brushing the sweat from her forehead. Joon helped her to her feet, his grip steady and reassuring. Aden, however, clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“I still can’t get used to his powers,” Miki admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

“He lost control again,” Aden muttered. “Luckily, Mr. Kim isn’t here.”

Joon, ever watchful, studied Miki closely before releasing a relieved sigh. Despite his calm demeanor, tension lingered in his expression.

“We need to calm him down,” he said gravely. “Otherwise, he’ll turn into a beast in no time.”

From within the dark cube came guttural, beast-like cries. A voice, warped and filled with rage, echoed through the arena.

"Burn. Burn. Burn everything. Enough of this."

Joon turned to Miki, his tone urgent. “Can you handle it now?”

Miki nodded, her resolve returning. “Yes... I’m fine. Let me get close to him.”

With steady steps, she approached the cube, drawing a deep breath. Crossing her arms over her chest, she summoned the energy of Yan. A brilliant glow radiated from her hands, her hair flowing as the power surged through her.

Placing her left hand against the cube, Miki channeled her energy. A blinding white light burst forth, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. When the light faded, Zero sat on the ground before her, his gaze dark with displeasure. Without a word, he stood abruptly, muttering under his breath as he turned to leave.

"Sorry," he said, his tone resentful, before walking away.

As he exited the arena, two figures—Harabi and Rumiya—rushed toward the group, their expressions fraught with worry. Rumiya immediately ran to Miki, grasping her hands tightly.

“Miki, Miki…” she repeated, her voice trembling as she searched for words. Seeing Miki’s weary eyes, she pulled her into a tight embrace. “You’re alright, aren’t you?”

Meanwhile, Harabi approached Joon and Aden, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What was that just now?”

Joon glanced at her, his expression grim. “He lost control of his magic.”

“So easily?” Harabi asked, her voice laced with disbelief. “I thought that was rare among mages.”

“It is,” Joon replied. “But Zero’s magic is different—it’s fueled by his emotions. Any strong feeling can turn him into… that.”

Aden nodded, his tone somber. “It started two years ago. During a lesson, he got angry after losing to Damien. The teacher had to step in to calm him down.” He paused before adding, “His magic grows stronger with time, and for now, only Miki can bring him back.”

Rumiya, still holding Miki’s hand, glanced around the arena uneasily. “I heard something strange,” she murmured.

The group turned toward her, startled. Miki tensed, gripping her friend’s hand tightly. “You heard it too?” she asked hesitantly.

Harabi’s expression darkened. “At first, we thought it was some kind of beast. But what exactly did he say?”

“Burn,” Rumiya replied, her voice barely audible. “Burn… everything.”

Harabi frowned. “Burn magic…” she whispered, her gaze distant, as the weight of the situation settled upon them all.

Aden remained silent, his jaw tight and his gaze fixed on the spot where Zero had stood moments ago. Finally, he exhaled sharply and turned to his friends. “We can’t ignore this anymore. If we don’t find a way to help him, things could get worse. Much worse.”

The group fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Aden’s words settling over them. Slowly, Joon, Miki, and Aden turned to face each other, their expressions betraying a mix of fear, uncertainty, and determination.

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