Upon a plateau prepared for an event of grand caliber, cheers filled the air as two opponents fought their way through this epic tournament, like two others before, and like many pairs to come. The crowd's ecstasy was unmeasurable. North Castle, usually calm place of a constant routine had seen a break in their dull, usual day with this tournament. It provided the spectators - who were actively participating by cheering, 'boo'ing, chanting, and other manifestations of happiness - with something to pass a good time, as if they didn't have a care in the world. It raised their spirits, he thought, to know that they were guarded and kept safe by such strong warriors, wishing for their well-being and safety. A grin formed in his lips. Soon, it would be his turn to participate in that same place. At one side of the sword, he was rather excited - it was gonna show how much his training had given fruit, besides his sparring partner being a friend of his. Blank Fireside, the cheerful nomad was who he would be fighting in this round. The anxiety was overwhelming, being able to fight such a strong opponent right at the top of the bat. Surely, whatever the result - though he hoped he'd win - he was gonna have fun.


However...there was the other side, that was somewhat depressing. Namely, the Orphanage kids, who all decided they'd be watching. He was like an idol to all of them, their 'Big Brother', who they all admired. If he was to lose here, then what would they think of him? A weakling who can't even defend himself? Surely they'd lose all his faith on him... and he didn't want that - he wanted them to be free and pursue their own goals, much like he was doing now. If he lost... their motivation would surely drop, believing that they were unable to do anything. He just couldn't afford to lose! Problem is, his first competitor was already one very fierce, and with a strength that far outmatched his own. Probabilities of winning were quite scarce, and he'd probably be dependant of luck in this match. He sighed. Maybe this was all but a lost cause? Maybe he should already forfeit?... No, that wouldn't solve anything. It was quite a dilemma. He looked towards the arena, somewhat distant to his location. He didn't want to see it yet - else he'd probably be too nervous to do anything. He gulped. How something that seemed so interesting at start was now something quite problematic.

*slap*

Away in his thoughts, the mage apprentice did not even notice the female figure approaching him. Blond, fine hair going towards her shoulders, a silky red ribbon tied on her hair, dreamy blue eyes that seemed to enchant, a fine red dress with some frills and casual orange shoes. Pale skin, and pointy ears - trademark of the Hylian race. On her face, she donned quite a serious and irritated look. "E-Emily..." - he stuttered, looking at his best friend while she was glaring at him. "You little brat! Missing my birthday like that! You should be ashamed!" - she yelled at him, before another slap came his way. The junior mage didn't even dare respond. "I-I'm sorry." - he replied, she sulking. "You better not repeat that joke again, you hear? Or you'll be sorry!" - she answered, changing her face into a grin. "Knew I'd find you slothing here, you lazy bum!" - she added, smirking. Tayro was the one to glare this time. "And while we're at it, little princess didn't contact me while she travelled, now did she?" - he spoke, smirking at her. She was the one who was silent this time. "Ops." - was the upcoming answer. "So I guess that makes us even then. Nice to see you too, Emily!" - the Hylian teenager replied, grinning as well.

Two matches completed themselves as the two friends idly conversed about their own travels, Tayro speaking about some strange quests he had found himself in, and the lots of friends he had made in the short while he had been out on the world. "Heh, wanting to forget about me, huh?" - the female added with a smirk. Then it was Emily's turn to speak about her own birthday and events, and how she had been singing in a lot of pubs - to make her dream of being a famous minstrel to turn true. "You better have not flirted around while I was gone, you hear?" - Tayro told her, donning their usual smirk. It was a quite enjoyable while... until she had the unfortunate remembrance of the match. "Hey, so you'll be fighting next in the tournament, right?" - she asked, grinning at her companion. "Oh, yeah... um, yes." - he annoyingly replied. She made to case of it as she added a "We're counting on you to win this!", not knowing the negative effect that just had on the junior mage. Emily is also counting on me to win this match... though I'm not sure of my skills to get this through. - he thought, thinking of all the times he had seen his opponent battle, analyzing the data he had of him. According to when they were stuck in the Hakiems' base, He knew Blank was not a very agile person. However, from other times, he knew that the nomad had mastered fighting with two weapons at the same time, thus dealing a large amount of damage. His defense seemed to be somewhat high as well.

"Hey, day-dreamer!" - Emily called, awakening the youth from his 'trance'. She sported a somewhat mischievous grin on her face. "Say... why don't you use that to help you win the match?" - she asked. Tayro seemed to be somewhat shocked from that affirmation, looking blankly at her. "You know pretty well that that is dangerous, and it takes a great dent in my energy. And besides, if I miss, the risk is far too great, and I might not be able to throw a comeback." - he replied, casting the idea aside... until she brought it up again. "Don't worry about that. I'll be the Sacrifice." - she told him. Tayro shook his head, now sporting a more serious look. "There's no way I'd use you, or anyone as my Sacrifice. It's not fair to them! I'd rather use my life that others'!" - he told her. Still, her grin remained. "Hey, don't worry! Miss Laeri can cast Life and Resurrection if things get too bad! It's not like anything bad will happen to me!" - was the excited reply. "Still-" "No stills, Tayro! You're doing it and that's that!" - she countered, not even letting the other finish. The teenager shrugged. She was right, even if he didn't like it - nothing would happen to her, and he knew what were the consequences if he didn't - she'd yell at him again. "Fine." - he told her, annoyed. She seemed excited to hear that, and even clapped her hands together. "Okay then. It's settled!" - she said.

The crowd cheered on. It seemed like the match still wasn't over. "Well, let's stay here and chat a little while longer then!" - she said, grinning. Tayro wasn't one to object on that.

~Pyre was repulsed once again by the crowd. The hylian cursed. They were so many damn people, how the hell was he going to start the match. He assumed it hadn't started yet, because he couldn't hear an announcer yelling out every happening in the battle, but he was worried. He didn't want to miss a bit of the action. This was the match he had been waiting for. Blank and Tayro. Both of them were strong, and both of them were the ranger's friends. It would be interesting to see how Tayro would overcome his physical disadvantage with his spells, and how Blank would react to them. The possible outcomes were dizzying, and the match could swing either way. In the end, Pyre thought it would come down to willpower. Who would be able to force themself to the max of their abilities, and overwhelm the opponent with their intensity. Knowing the two combatants, even then it would be incredibly close. He did believe Blank had a slight advantage, but he didn't think that would make a huge difference, though it may determine the final outcome.

But none of that mattered if he couldn't even see the two will-be combatants. Pyralin made one more push forward, but once again was pushed back by the throngs of people. Then he snapped. The ranger gave a roar that silenced the people in his immediate area, but didn't carry very far. Maybe this was a bit of his rager blood shining through foreshadowing when he actually snapped and went berserk in his first battle of the tournament to come (revealed! ^_^).

The hylian shoved forward, forcing people aside, and finally broke out into the small clearing in the crowd. Tayro was only a few feet away, his back turned, and apparently conversing with someone. He smiled brightly. It looks like he wasn't too late after all, but instead early. He'd be able to talk to Tayro before the match began.

He was quite surprised with the large crowd. He hadn't actually gone to one of the tournament matches himself, but he had heard they were popular. The ranger wasn't used to so many people gathering in one place, particularly to watch a fight. He guessed that he would be quite nervous when his own time came, but this was for Tayro. He would do everything he could to cheer his friend on.

Pyre strode forward, walking straight up behind the apprentice mage, and slapped him on the back. "You ready for you match?" His voice was charged with excitement, and a little bit of anticipation for his own match. The ranger's hand stung a little from where he had struck his friend. It seemed like he applied a little more strength than he thought. His smile shifted into a playful smirk, a bit of chagrin showing on his face. That's when he saw who Tayro was chatting with. At the moment she saw her, he caught a glance of her face before he had interupted. A smirk that had almost mirrored his own was playing across her face. It was only there for a moment, but he was taken aback. The hylian quickly gained his composture, with the telltale grace of his people. Everything from his features to the way he held himself spoke of his hylian blood.

Pyre turned away from Emily to ask Tayro, "So, who's this?" Like always, his genuine curiosity had got the better of him, and he could help but voice the question. Besides, he was pleased to aquaint himself with one of Tayro's friends, the initial sensation he had experienced upon seeing Emily gone.~