"Yawn... I'm tired," Anjero mumbled as he stumbled out of his dormitory room. "OK, they said it should be in the outdoor training facility."
"Yo, Anjero, you ready?" Mashū asked, looking remarkably alert for someone who had stayed up strategizing until well past midnight.
"Hold that thought," Anjero replied, raising his hands toward his face. "GEYSER BEAM—light version!"
A gentle spray of cool water splashed across his features, instantly washing away the last vestiges of sleep.
"OK, now I'm up and ready."
"Morning, y'all! I'm so pumped! I hope they're here," Kamira announced, practically bouncing with anticipation as she joined the group.
"I'm really hoping to see something interesting today," Yoku added, his usual enthusiasm amplified by the excitement of the festival atmosphere.
"All I smell is victory and money," Shinkei declared with the pragmatic confidence of someone who had learned to find motivation in tangible rewards.
"Mornin', everyone! No worries—your overpowered main character is here," Romaji announced, striking a dramatic pose that would have been ridiculous if it weren't so perfectly in character.
"Well, let's go in," Anjero said, leading the way toward the outdoor facility.
"WOAH, IT'S HUGE!" they exclaimed in unison as they stepped through the entrance.
The outdoor training facility had been completely transformed. What was normally a simple practice area now resembled a massive festival ground, complete with colorful banners representing all four guardian schools, food stalls stretching as far as the eye could see, and temporary seating that could accommodate thousands of spectators. Students from all four schools mingled throughout the area, their different uniforms creating a vibrant tapestry of colors and energy.
"*The festival starts in three hours. Please enjoy concessions and each other's company while we wait!*" S.E.I.D.'s voice boomed across the festival grounds through strategically placed speakers.
"There's so many people here," Anjero observed, slightly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the event. "Well, we might as well check out all the stalls while we wait."
"Oh my gosh, they have ramen here!" Kamira exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted one of her favorite foods.
"Let's go eat, Kam!" Mashū called out, already heading toward the aromatic steam rising from the noodle stand.
"Yo, Anjero, let's go this way. I see burgers over there," Shinkei said, tugging on his brother's sleeve.
"Oh, say less. Lead the way, my brotha," Anjero replied, his own stomach rumbling at the mention of food.
"Well, Yoku, where do you wanna go first?" Romaji asked, surveying the various options.
"Oh snap, I see pita bread down there!" Yokudan exclaimed.
"PITA! Let's go!" Romaji responded with enthusiasm that seemed disproportionate to the discovery of Middle Eastern flatbread.
---
### **Family Reunion**
As Anjero and Shinkei approached the burger stall, a familiar figure caught Shinkei's attention.
"Hey, is that Aria?" he asked, pointing toward a girl their age who was examining the menu board with obvious reluctance.
"Yeah, it is," Anjero confirmed. "Aria, what are you doing here?"
Their sister turned toward them with the expression of someone who had been dragged somewhere against her will. "Mom made me miss school to support y'all."
"You don't sound so ecstatic to be here, loser," Shinkei observed with characteristic sibling cruelty.
"Don't start with me, Shinshin," Aria shot back, using the childhood nickname she knew he hated.
"It started when you were born, fool," Shinkei replied, and before anyone could intervene, the two had locked arms in what could generously be called wrestling.
"Stop it, infants," Anjero said, separating them with practiced ease. "Why do you two always fight and argue?"
"Because she always starts it," Shinkei protested.
"Anyways, where's Mom, Aria?" Anjero asked, steering the conversation back to practical matters.
"I don't know. She gave me money and told me to find you guys."
"I guess you forgot the 'find us' part because it looks like you're about to eat something without us," Shinkei observed, noticing the food she was already holding.
"Shinshin, I will smack you!" Aria threatened.
"Try it, little girl!" Shinkei shot back.
As they began to scuffle again, Anjero's patience finally reached its limit. "Huh. GEYSER BEAM—small version!"
A targeted stream of water splashed over both siblings, instantly ending their fight.
"What the heck! You got my hair wet!" Aria protested.
"Stop fighting, you little kids, for a second and just enjoy some food before I have to go," Anjero said firmly.
"You're so lucky I can dry myself off with my spirit," Shinkei muttered, flames beginning to dance around his clothes and hair, evaporating the water in small puffs of steam.
"What about me? I don't have a spirit like y'all," Aria complained, wringing water from her hair.
"I got you, little girl," a mysterious female voice said from behind them.
A gentle breeze began to circulate around Aria, lifting the water from her clothes and hair with surgical precision until she was completely dry.
"Thank you! Honestly, my hair looks even better now," Aria said, admiring her reflection in a nearby window.
"No problem at all. I'm Ashuri Gale, by the way," the stranger said, stepping into view.
She was strikingly beautiful in a way that seemed almost supernatural—long silver hair that moved as if it were perpetually caught in a gentle breeze, eyes the color of storm clouds, and a confident bearing that commanded attention. Her Spirit North uniform was perfectly tailored, and she carried herself with the poise of someone accustomed to being the most interesting person in any room.
"Oh my gosh, you're so pretty," Aria said with unguarded admiration.
"Thank you very much, little girl," Ashuri replied with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Her attention shifted to Anjero. "And you must be the water spirit guardian I've been hearing about."
"Uh... yes, I am. I'm Anje—"
"Anjero Sutanrì," she finished for him. "Nice to meet you. I'm the Guardian of Air. I go to Spirit North. I hope to see you at this festival soon."
With that, she turned and walked away, her hair flowing behind her as if choreographed by the wind itself.
"She didn't even ask me who I was," Shinkei complained.
"Looks like she only cares about important people," Aria observed with the brutal honesty that only younger siblings could deliver.
"I'm important! Shut up," Shinkei protested. "Anjero, you good, bro?"
"Yeah," Anjero replied, though something about the encounter had left him unsettled. "She had this real confident yet sinister aura about her. Hm."
"What are you staring at, little man?" a voice said from directly behind him.
Anjero spun around to find himself face-to-face with a figure he'd hoped never to see again. "Who in the hell... no way. Why is he here?"
"Ah, Anjero, how are you?" Rafaeru's voice cut through the tension as the instructor approached with his characteristic casual demeanor.
"Answer me—why is he here?" Anjero demanded, staring at Devanga, who was indeed present but wearing what appeared to be a high-tech collar around his neck and accompanied by two guards.
"Oh, didn't you know? I'm going to Spirit North now," Devanga said with a smirk that suggested he was enjoying Anjero's discomfort.
"Hopefully chained up like you are now," Anjero replied coldly.
"Anjero, I think this is the guy who kidnapped me," Shinkei said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge as flames began to flicker around his hands.
"I assumed so," Anjero confirmed, stepping protectively in front of his brother.
"Oh, little firefly, still scared of me?" Devanga taunted.
"As if, fat boy," Shinkei shot back, his flames intensifying.
"What the fuck did you just call me?" Devanga's composure cracked, his own earth-based energy beginning to respond despite the collar's suppression. "I'll kill you once I'm out of these chains, you hear me? You and your waterbug of a brother!"
"OK, that's enough," Rafaeru intervened, gesturing to the guards. "Take him to the waiting area."
As Devanga was led away, still muttering threats, Anjero turned to his instructor. "Raf, why is he here?"
"Well, after he was interrogated by Commander Commando, we found his file. Turns out he was stolen from his family six years ago by Tenki and forced to do his bidding in order to survive."
The revelation hit Anjero like a physical blow. "Wow, I feel kinda bad now."
"Yeah, but since he holds one of the Original Seven, North recruited him after they found out we have two original spirits in our school."
"How do they keep him under control?" Anjero asked, practical concerns overriding his sympathy.
"They apparently got a spirit-dampening collar from the STC and are using it on him."
"STC? I thought they just made S.E.I.D.?"
"That's all I can tell you, since you helped bring down Tenki and him. You two, don't tell anyone I told y'all this, OK?"
"OK," Shinkei agreed.
"OK," Anjero echoed, though his mind was already racing with the implications.
"*One hour before the games start. All participants, please come to Arena #1 for the intro battle,*" S.E.I.D.'s announcement echoed across the festival grounds.
"Well, that's my cue. See you all later," Rafaeru said, heading toward the main arena.
"See ya," Anjero replied, though his appetite had somewhat diminished. "Now can I have a burger, please?"
"Sure can, with cheese," the stall attendant replied cheerfully, apparently oblivious to the dramatic confrontation that had just taken place in front of his stand.
As Anjero waited for his food, he couldn't shake the feeling that this festival was going to be far more complicated than anyone had anticipated. Between mysterious air guardians who seemed to know more about him than they should, former enemies being recruited by rival schools, and the looming threat of another spirit war, the competition was starting to feel like the least of his concerns.
But for now, he had a burger to eat, a sister to protect from his brother's teasing, and a team to support. The bigger picture would have to wait until after they'd proven themselves worthy of the title they all desperately wanted to earn.
The festival was just beginning, and already the stakes felt higher than anyone had prepared for.