The center of the four islands was unlike anything Team Z had seen before. A vast open arena sat at the meeting point where all four islands converged, the water surrounding it on every side, the sky above wide and clear. The crowd was already filling in — natives from every island, different colors of Raiki energy drifting off them like heat, the whole place humming with anticipation.
Kaisen moved through the crowd until he spotted them. Ryo, Aisha, Ali, Benjamin, Abraham and Rimazu — standing together at the edge of the crowd, arms folded, watching the arena fill up. Zain and Bob were nearby. The rest of the Revolt had gathered around them.
Kaisen looked at the group that hadn't made it through and let the silence sit for just a moment too long.
"So." He tilted his head. "Looks like you lot didn't make it." A slow smile. "That's sad."
All six of them turned to look at him at exactly the same time.
"He's making fun of us."
"And he's enjoying it."
Cole stepped forward. "Relax. You're kids."
Zain added, "All this means is that you're late bloomers. Nothing more."
Ryo looked at him. "I tried to get into flow. It just — it never happened."
Aisha, Benjamin, Ali, Abraham and Rimazu all said simultaneously, "Same."
Zain nodded slowly. "Like I said. Late bloomers." He turned back toward the arena. "Now keep quiet. The first match is about to begin."
The announcer's voice rose above the crowd, carrying across the water to all four islands at once.
"Welcome to this year's Inter-Island Tournament — held here at the center of Halihalu, where all four islands meet as one!"
The crowd erupted.
"Today's matches are simple. Two battles will be fought . The winners of each battle will face each other in the final to determine which island claims the Inter-Islands this year. The match pairings were decided randomly — names drawn from a bowl by the four chiefs themselves."
A pause for effect.
"Representing Red Island — Ruqqaya and Agnis! One Ranian and one Damik user!"
The crowd on the Red Island side roared.
"Their opponents — representing Green Island — Leona and Mimi! Both Damik users!"
The Green Island crowd answered back.
"And on the other side of the arena — representing Blue Island — Scarlet and Hama! Both Damik users!"
"Facing them — representing Pink Island — Sulaiman and Suka! One Ranian and one Damik user!"
The noise from all four sides merged into something overwhelming.
"Blue and Pink teams — you may begin warming up. Red and Green teams — take your positions."
The announcer's voice dropped to its final note.
"Let the first battle begin!"