Capture or Perish

Rei smirked, eyes on Kazuto spinning above him.

“Race to the top?”

Kazuto’s grin widened.

“No chance. You’ll eat dust before you even climb a step.”

Rei’s fingers brushed the grapnel gun under his cape, slow and deliberate, and with a quick flick of his wrist, like a magician teasing his audience, he was ready to move.

Eyes closed , a deep breath, then—

Bang!

The grapnel shot into the air, rope unrolling behind it in a perfect arc. The hook spun at the end, climbing higher and higher, vanishing into the fog.

Obviously, there was no way his grapnel would reach the top… unless, of course, he had a little helper. And sure enough, Kaitsuki, already perched at the summit, caught the hook mid-air and slammed it into the rock. Thunk!

Once it was set, two playful tugs ran up the rope, the clear signal that everything was ready.

Rei opened one eye, smirked.

“See you at the top.”

Kazuto’s eyes widened as he realized Rei’s plan.

“Shit, I’m drained, but I can’t let him win , not again!”

He surged upward. Blades whirling, cutting through fog.

Rei’s hand pressed the trigger , and in an instant, the rope snapped back with a hiss, yanking him forward like a streak of lightning. Air whipped past him.

Whoosh!

A blur of motion.

Kazuto spun frantically on his knives, trying to keep pace, sweat beading his forehead. But it wasn’t enough.

Rei shot past effortless , confidence radiating like fire.

A little earlier, Akira climbed the fragile barrier-stairs Itsuki had conjured.

Swish!

A flash of rope whipped past, making him step back in fear, and his foot slipped.

He tumbled.

Itsuki lunged, fingers stretching toward him, but Akira slipped past his grasp.

“Akira!” he shouted, looking panicked.

But too late, Akira slipped off the barrier and the fog swallowed him. His stomach dropped, heart hammering,

“oh no … without my power …”

Suddenly, a figure shot through the mist, caught him, and in an instant, he was at the summit, stunned but safe.

Akira’s hair tumbled, eyes wide, chest still racing.

“What… what just happened? I’m safe? How?”

He glanced to his left, spotting Rei beside him smirking like he does this every day.

“Rei, you can fly?!”

Itsuki landed gracefully beside them, eyes calm but unmissably amused.

A slow clap echoed, deliberate, as if savoured a show.

“Impressive timing. You never fail to surprise.”

Kazuto finally reached the summit, exhausted. His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as he glared at Rei.

“This isn’t over,” he growled.

“You’ve been lucky so far. Tricks like yours won’t hold up in a real magic duel.”

Rei’s lips curved into a confident smirk.

“I’ll show you it’s not luck!”

A chuckle floated through the fog then Sarutobi approached, hands behind his back, grin teasing.

“Who would’ve thought, the last three from the previous round are the first to reach the top?”

Rei raised an eyebrow.

“You recognize us?”

“Of course,” Sarutobi said, eyes twinkling. “Watching all of you is part of my job.”

He paused, scanning Rei.

“And you… you intrigue me.”

Then he stepped to the edge of the cliff, looked down at the climbers struggling below, and shouted,

“Everyone hurry, only the first thirty count!”

Rei stretched, trying to catch his breath, while Itsuki leaned casually against the crystal, fingers twitching

A rhythmic chant echoed behind them, counting down like a drumbeat:

“25… 21… 14… 7… 2… 1… 0…”

“Time’s up! No more candidates allowed. The first trial is complete!” Sarutobi shouted.

He turned his gaze to those who had made it to the cliff, a small, approving smile tugging at his lips.

“Congratulations. You’ve all completed the first trial.”

Cheers erupted, some cries of relief, some laughter, some shaky sobs.

“Oh my god… that was insane!”, “If tomorrow’s trial is like this, I’ll die,”

Sarutobi smirked, eyes sharp.

“Speaking of trials, want to know what comes next?”

“Yes! Of course!” the crowd yelled in unison.

He raised a hand, voice playful.

“There are three trials in total. The first one, endurance, is done. Tomorrow comes group combat , five per team. And finally… one-on-one battles.”

Rei’s eyes narrowed.

“Five per team? Need two more members…”

He scanned the summit, plotting silently, thoughts flicking like sparks.

Sarutobi’s grin widened.

“And now, a bonus trial for those still standing. Optional, of course.”

Groans rolled through the group.

“Now?! I can’t!”, “This day won’t end!”

Sarutobi’s eyes glinted, sharp, teasing.

“Optional, yes. But the first to exit will skip one fight in the one-on-one rounds. Worth a shot, isn’t it?”

Rei’s gaze hardened.

If I can skip a fight, my chances to win the tournament raise. I can’t miss this.

“What's the bonus trial?” he asked.

“Simple, find the crystal in the next zone” Sarutobi said, pointing to a distant darkness that swallowed the horizon.

Rei exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders.

“It’s never simple with you, is it? Where’s the catch?”

"You're right.” Sarutobi’s grin widened in response.

“Well there aren't monsters or traps this time but..."

Suddenly he looked serious , eyes sharp.

"If you enter without at least three fairies, the darkness will twist your mind. It can make you blind… deaf… or even kill you."

The crowd gasped, panicking.

"Are you serious?" , "Too dangerous!" , "Not worth it!"

Rei’s chest tightened as he stared into the pitch-black expanse.

This trial… by far the deadliest yet. No wonder it was optional but skipping it? Not an option.

Sarutobi’s hand rose.

“Who dares to attempt the bonus? You’ll have thirty minutes before you start.”

Rei didn’t hesitate. “I’ll go,” he said, sharp and quick.

“If you go, I’ve got your back,” Akira nudged him, calm but resolute.

Itsuki exhaled, fingers twitching. “Looks like my healing magic isn’t done yet.”

Kazuto raised his hand next, grin sharp, eyes burning with competitive fire.

A blind monk followed, calm as if darkness couldn’t touch him.

Then four others candidates stepped forward.

A healer radiating calm, serene energy .

A ninja who seemed to melt into the shadows.

A mysterious figure, half his face hidden behind a demon mask with sharp fangs.

And finally, a fire-user, heat rolling off him like a pressure wave.

In total, nine challengers stood ready, each radiating focus and determination.

Thirty minutes later, examiners appeared by the crystal, lanterns in hand, each shaped like a tiny cage and a large wooden chest.

Crrreeeak!

The chest lid swung open, and a swarm of tiny glowing orbs burst out, darting and flickering like sparks.

“Three fairies minimum to enter the Darkness Zone. Ten minutes. Go!”

The blind monk tilted his head.

“Do I need to catch them too?”

Sarutobi hesitated, then nodded.

“Yes. They’ll guide you.”

Kazuto twisted one of his blades into a cage, five fairies trapped instantly. The ninja moved just as fast, snaring theirs in a blur.

The healer waved her hands, a soft magical pull guiding the fairies gently, as if charmed.

Akira didn’t move, but the fairies zipped straight to him, like they could sense his light magic.

Rei’s eyes widened as he watched his friend.

“Wow, you don’t even have to chase them,”

Akira’s cheeks flushed slightly, a playful grin on his face.

“Just lucky, I guess. Want me to hand you one?”

He extended a tiny glowing orb toward Rei. But the moment the fairy neared Rei, it darted away like a spark.

Rei shook his head, chuckling.

“No worries. I’ve got this myself.”

“I’m sure you will.” Akira’s smile softened, a quiet confidence in his tone.

Itsuki, leaning casually nearby, let his gaze linger on Rei, amusement glinting in his eyes.

“I wonder what trick he’s going to pull this time…”

Rei crouched, eyes scanning their movements, reading the fairies’ patterns like a chess game.

Timing was everything.

As a cluster of fairies tried to escape the fire-user, Rei leapt. He blocked their path, slid his lantern over them, and snapped it shut.

Click!

Three fairies captured instantly.

The fire-user scowled. “Hey! Those are mine!”

Rei grinned, proud and mischievous.

“Not anymore.”

Akira blinked, impressed.

“You’re… really smart.”

Itsuki’s eyes gleamed, amused.

“Hahaha… didn’t even need a gadget this time? Incredible!”

But Rei noticed the tiny wings quivering, the little lights blinking rapidly, scared. It tugged at his heart.

So he exhaled and gently swinging open the lantern door.

“I’m sorry. You’re free.”

Itsuki, brows furrowed, leaned closer.

“You had them. Why let them go?”

Rei met his gaze calmly.

“Look how they panicked. They shouldn’t be forced into the forest.”

Itsuki’s lips curved into a soft, quiet smile.

“You’re really the only one who thinks that way,” he murmured to himself.

Rei held the lantern open, voice firm yet gentle.

“Listen, I know you’re scared. But if you come with me, I promise I will keep you safe.”

One tiny fairy hesitated, then floated closer, her glow flickering like a candle in the dark. She asked if Rei would really risk his life for them.

Rei’s smile was wide and warm.

“Fear nothing. I promise.”

The fairy nodded.

“My name is Lumi. I will follow you but only if you help us.”

Rei’s eyes sparkled.

“Of course. How can I help?”

The fairy’s glow pulsed as it explained, its voice urgent.

"Find the queen’s medallion in the Darkness Zone. It’s lost, and the queen’s life depends on it.”

Lumi tiny face scrunched in fear and frustration.

“But we’re too afraid to enter. The exorcists they only want to capture us."

Rei lifted his pinky.

"Don’t worry. I’ll protect you and find the medallion. I promise."

The tiny fairy grasped it with both hands, balancing herself on his finger. Her wings fluttered like sparks, eyes bright with trust.

"Deal!" she chirped.

She called to her friends.

One by one, the other fairies zipped into Rei’s lantern, until not a single one remained outside. Except Lumi who slipped into Rei’s pocket instead.

Sarutobi’s eyebrows shot up as he’d never seen this happen before.

“Not even ten minutes have passed, but with no fairies left, time’s up,” he declared, a mix of surprise and amusement in his voice.

The fire-user only managed to snatch three, just the bare minimum, his glare snapping toward Rei.

No problem for the others who easily gathered five, their lanterns glowing with confidence.

Everyone was ready to enter the darkness zone.

Lumi shivered, tiny wings trembling, so Rei gently patted her head with his finger

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine” he said in a calm, reassuring voice

Without knowing the trouble that was about to hit him.