~Chapter 1~
~Age 987 B~359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscTNVko9nn
Lands of Ralosia had a great greyscale mountain range which dotted the west, surrounded by lush green plains on all sides. It spanned the region all the way from the Saran Plains up to the Ichino region. This mountainous terrain was known as the Platt Mountains, with many interweaving tunnels running through it. While many Densius lived there, others saw it as a place to hide.
Razan traveled down the western side of Platt Mountain to their old home, running at speeds that no normal Ralosian could, wind running through his thick black hair. As he neared the home, he had a sense of foreboding. He jumped to a high point among the mountains and looked down on his demolished home. Ther were three rough looking individuals with weapons searching it.
Bounty hunters.
Razan cursed to himself, they were catching up to them again. Just like Modi and Emil had. He hurried up the mountain, leaping dozens of meters into the air.
Razan's family had been staying with the Densius people, beings composed almost entirely of rocks, atop the mountain. Their Leader Emer allowed them to stay. But Razan knew they would have to relocate soon.
"How many were there?" Lucar asked.
"Three. It'll take a while before any of them will be bold enough to come into a Densius settlement looking for us, but its bound to happen eventually. I mean look at at Modi."
Lucar nodded his head and scratched at the scar over his brow. The two black haired brothers sat in silence for a moment.
"What about your kids?" Emer, the green eyed Densius sitting in on the conversation asked.
That was something both Razan and Lucar dreaded. Lucar was sure his son Jirro would accept that they'd have to relocate without explanation. But Razan's kids Aero and Corri... they wouldn't be easy to convince.
The last time they had to relocate Corri was a child and hardly remembered the occasion. But Aero threw a terrible fit and refused to leave. Razan had to pick him up and take him away.
"We'll have to take them with us. Maybe find a quiet place up north." Lucar said.
"The kids won't do it unless you tell them why," Emer pointed out, "You'd be uprooting their lives again."
"The kids can't know." Lucar asserted.
Razan looked to Lucar, "There is another option. If the kids are strong enough, we shouldn't have to drag them along with us. They'll be safer if they're not traveling with us."
Lucar shook his head, "I'm not sure if they are strong enough to take care of themselves yet though."
Emer stood, "If you'd like to test them you could register them in the tournament at Challenger's Lake. I was planning to attend this year myself. After that you'll know if they're strong enough."
"That'd be risky for us." Lucar pointed out.
Emer grinned, "Don't worry, stick with me and no one will notice you."
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There was a plateau on the mountain where several children trained to strengthen themselves. Aero effortlessly ran along while carrying the boulder child known as Ruben. He raced down a track through the mountains that was laid by his dad. He sprinted as fast as could towards the end of the course, skidding to a halt in front of his little sister Corri. He promptly set Ruben down.
"What's my time?!" Aero asked, tired but excited.
The red-headed Corri looked up to him, "Five minutes, twenty seconds."
Aero smiled wide. He beat his cousin Jirro's record by three seconds. Without hesitation, Jirro picked up Ruben and began racing down the track himself, intent on beating his cousin. The two 12-years old always competed with each other.
Aero took a seat next to Corri as Jirro ran off.
Corri remarked to herself that her own record on the track was 10 minutes, which nowhere near as good as her brother or cousin. But considering a few months ago she could barely lift Ruben off the ground, she had improved significantly.
While Jirro ran the track, Razan, Lucar, and Emer approached the kids.
"What's up dad?" Aero greeted Razan with a big grin on his face.
"We have something to tell you. But let's wait until Jirro gets back." Razan explained.
Minutes later Jirro charges towards the group of them, the wind blowing through his blonde hair. He halted in front of them and set the boulder shaped Ruben down.
Jirro breathlessly asked, "What's my time?"
Corri winced as she said, "Five minutes, twenty-two seconds."
Jirro exasperatedly sighed. He might've beaten his old record, but he still lost to his cousin. Aero smirked.
Lucar turned to everyone, "Take a seat kids."
Aero, Corri, Jirro, and Ruben sat down and Razan began, "We've been talking, and we've decided you boys should enter the next fighting tournament. After how hard you've been training; I think you could do well. How does that sound?"
Aero excitedly replied, "Yeah, that sounds fun!"
Jirro nodded in agreement. They liked the idea of being able to test themselves.
Emer added, "Ruben, I think it'd be a good experience for you to enter as well."
Ruben nodded, it would be his it's time leaving the mountain.
"I want to enter too." Corri spoke up.
"Oh sweetheart." Razan dismissed her, "This sort of tournaments is for the boys. You wouldn't want to enter anyways."
Corri grimaced, "But I've gotten a lot stronger too!"
Aero spoke on behalf of his little sister, "Yeah, Corri can handle herself. She'll be fine."
Razan grimaced, "I'll think about it."
In the days leading to the tournament, the children did some light training with their parents. They left Platt Mountain early in the morning from the eastern side. They carried bags on their bags with supplies for the trip. Far in the distance they could see a massive lake in the shape of an eye. It was surrounded by towns and filled with boats and ferries. At the center of the lake was a large island, Challenger's Isle. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FolzPWreI
