--- Echo’s POV---
I was quick to awaken, knowing that today would be the start of the tournament. Everything I was taught, all the times a spent training was preparing me for this moment. The day I would finally be able to show off, to prove to everyone was wrong about me. Also to prove that Silves wasn't a person to mess with either.
“Silves, wake up!” I yelled to a still sleeping Silves.
He woke up immediately.
“Huh, what’s going on?” He said with a start.
“It’s Tournament day! Come on let’s hurry and go get some breakfast!”
It wasn't too long after that we were both ready to go to the cafeteria. Breakfast was a very important meal especially a day like today. We got through the lunch line quickly, sit down at a table and starting eating.
My mind couldn't help but wonder what would happen today. A part of me hoped that we would actually win today, and be the best in our class. It was a high expectation but someone had to be the best. So why couldn't it be us? The perks were great if you won the tournament, not so much if you didn't win.
Those in the bottom ranking would have to take extra classes. Those in the second bottom ranking could take extra classes if they wished too. Winning at least two of your matches meant you were exempt from extra classes.
The tournament was 5 rounds, for 32 teams. During round one there would only be 8 teams to move onto round 2. Then halve it again for rounds 3 and 4. Until only 2 teams remained and would fight it out in the 5th round. It detriment the winners of the tournament and ultimately would be the strongest in our class, for both Triton and Siren.
Silves and I were going to be the fifth team to compete. Which had me hoping we would do well. I was glad when we were paired up for the Tournament. I was hoping that we would. Well, it did make sense to pair us since we shared the same room, and we practically were inseparable. We could be seen practicing together whenever we had the spare time, even well before the school pair us up.
After breakfast, everyone went straight to the arena, as we were instructed to do the day before. The different years then split off into their own little groups. The first years would start off the tournament, then it would end with the seventh years.
Our fight was coming up and we were relaxing in a room above the arena. We would be able to see how some of the others fight. Each team had 1 hour to defeat there opponent, but the fights, for the first years at least, were usually done in a couple minutes. Once each team was finished we were still free to watch the other teams compete, even the older teams. It was a great learning experience in my case.
Watching the other matches and the other teams as they battle was interesting. I studied how each of them moved. How they attacked, how they blocked. I was preparing my own strategy on how to beat them if we were possibly going to go up against any of them.
There was one more thing about the tournament. The team that came on top from years 1 through 6 were allowed to challenge the winners from the year above them, which would happen after all the other matches were over. It didn't count against you if you didn't win the match. It was more meant to test your bravery and your overall talent. Most first years didn't try it because of still being a beginner, but the other grades were more than happy to see if they could best the grade above them. It was a little fun amidst of all of the seriousness.
I looked out at the arena from our room the fourth match was almost over. We should start making our way down to the fighting area.
“We should get going.” I let out nearly focused.
We both turned from the room and made our way down to the arena. A few that saw us coming, sneered and gawked at us. I could hear a few of them saying mean comments under their breath. It was just more motivation for me, just another reason to prove them wrong. I would feel a little pride when they knew I wasn't just some traitor’s son.
I let out a quick breath. It was our turn now, both of us swam to our side of the arena. Silves looked nervous, while I showed no emotion at all. After all, my Father taught me to never show fear and never give your opponent the opportunity to spot any weakness.
“Silves, relax, we have been practicing for this even before we knew the Tournament was coming up. We’ll do great!” I told him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Looking out into the crowd, I looked to see if my mother was there. To see if she had come to cheer me on. I was not disappointed, finding her in one of the back row bleachers. If my father hadn't been exiled he would have been here to cheer me on as well, telling me to win. And to congratulate me on my victories. My brothers would have also been here, and no doubt competing in the tournament too. I frowned for a minute thinking about them but regained my composure.
'Don’t worry father, as soon as I get done with my training I will find you and my brothers.’
The match was announced meaning it was time for it to start. I let out another deep breath, watching as the other Triton conjured his weapon. Errol, was his name if I remembered correctly and even if I didn't remember it, it was just announced along with his partner, Cora and both mine and Silves names as well.
Retrieving my own Triton, I stood ready.
“Just focused on keeping me healed. If you can take out his Siren that will be a plus but don’t sweat it if it becomes too much. I will take care of the rest.”
“I know, I’ve just never done anything like this before.”
“Everything will be okay, these are other first years, they will have only had the same classes as us.”
“Some may have received help from home.”
“True, but so have we,” I said patting his back, before turning my eyes forward.
Closing my eyes and calming my mind, focusing on what needed to be done. We needed to win this to show that we deserved to be here, but I felt that Silves needed to win this as much as I wanted to win this. I wanted to show that I was worth my title while showing Silves that he could do this.
‘You can do this, we can both do this’
The warning horn for the match sounded, and I quickly opened my eyes, focusing on my target, Errol. He was bigger than me, but most called him a giant pushover. It was easy to see most times in class. His coloring was simple teals and greens, colors more common in tropical Mers. Cora, however, was a little smaller than he was. Her coloring consisted of hues of grey and silver. It also seemed she had more mettle than he did.
Gripping the handle of my trident tighter, and giving him a warning smile. Just to flash my pointy teeth at him, trying to make him a little intimidated of me. My pop was not like other Mers, he was half sharkmer, which came from his father's family. My pointy teeth were the only thing that I had inherited from him, my coloring came from my mother. Even my temper was more like hers. My intimidation tactic worked because he flinched and backed up. Cora had to push him forward a little bit when he tried to back away.
Taking one last breath as the bell sounded, my eyes darting around the arena looking for any advantage that might be there, but it was an empty area. Looking over the arena at the people filling the stands. Smiling this was my time to shine, glancing back at Silves, no this was our time to shine. Silves was strong so this fight shouldn’t be much of an issue. This fight would be our first step to winning this tournament because there was no way we were losing.
Author’s note
Zivor here, Sorry for the delay. Whitemoon and I had some real-world issues come up and it delayed our chapter writing. We are hoping we got everything fixed and will be able to update weekly after this.
Whitemoon here! I’m responsible for all things Echo. Including his chapters, information about him etc etc. Thanks for tuning in to read our story. If you like what you read please subscribe. We like comments and feedback. Any constructive criticism you can give will be helpful to make this story better! Thanks!
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