Chapter 150 - 146: Check the Standings, Again

Chapter 150: Chapter 146: Check the Standings, Again

The entire arena goes dead silent. Nene’s face turns the color of sand.

Elandior backs Kaline up. "It is true. Both our beasts confirmed it."

Outraged muttering from the crowd. Lightning’s furious roar cuts through the hubbub.

A loud alarm blares throughout the arena with a sound of finality.

The announcer’s voice is final. "House Jawara is ELIMINATED with penalties and should depart the tournament ground immediately. The winner by default is House Riddlehoeven."

Gracious in defeat and dishonor, Nene blocks Janko. "STOP. DOWN. NOW."

The harshness in her aged voice makes Janko slump down and huddle on the floor like a scolded puppy. He stays there in that humbled position until the platform touches down on the arena floor. Turning gracefully, Nene says to Elandior and Kaline, "Our hearts are heavy. We hope you can forgive us."

With the entire arena watching, Nene and Janko make their way out of sight. The entire beast taming community and the public that has come to watch are observing the fall from grace of a great house. No warning. No indication.

Kaline’s hand is cool on my head. Einswine glues himself to Elandior. Pink and scrubby, the bare patch on his side slowly begins healing and growing fur. Hans comes down to fuss over Einswine. Motherly, Gussie flaps around Einswine, scanning him for any further distress. Peridot stretches out, regal, and gives Einswine a proud nod.

For his part, Einswine presents a stoic picture, although he is indignant over his fur, glancing at it and snorting derisively. However, he did injure a whole segment of Wandi the millipede’s body, so he takes the close shave in stride.

The announcer calls out, "Next match, five minutes. This second day of the tournament is already breaking records for excitement, reversals, and falls from grace, as well as make-or-break moments that define a beast as well as a beast tamer’s career."

I ignore the typical announcer purple prose and hyperbole. Let the announcer create the message for the audience to eat up.

We all retreat to our team area and let the other matches unfold while Einswine heals and resists the advice to go to the Medical Wing.

I head up the steps to Lightning, who wraps me up in a fur embrace along with Finn and Leonie and refuses to let me go. Communicating to Kaline, I get permission to stay with Lightning and the cubs. After all, my little family suffered while Janko and Wandi did their best to demolish me.

A firm, affectionate pat on my head makes me look up, Maartenwitz stares down, his kind brown eyes full of admiration. "Excellent, Blaze," he decrees. "Both you and Einswine. Excellent."

This is extravagant praise from Maartenwitz, and I bask in it. Between my family’s embrace and his praise, I am set. What do I care about the results of the other matches?

Yet Lightning cajoles me to watch the rest of the matches. [You need to learn who your competition is.]

I watch throughout the rest of the day. Finn and Leonie insist on amusing me with their commentary. [You could beat that beast, Papa!] Or [I hope you don’t have to face that one!]

The matches come thick and fast, and by evening, most of the teams have been sorted into two groups: Placed and Eliminated. The final few matches wrap up. A flurry of animal noises and sharp smells. Emotions running riot. Then, all is settled.

Loud fanfare signals the end of the second day of the tournament.

The announcer booms, "All contestants please return to the arena floor for the announcement of the finalists."

After licking Lightning and the cubs profusely until they’re soaked, I make my way down to the arena floor to rejoin everyone.

The announcer booms, "I would like to thank all the contestants for competing so vigorously. But there must be winners and losers. We can honor the fallen beasts. ’Fallen’ as in ’eliminated.’ However, the victors are truly worthy of adulation. Without further ado. here are the winners."

1. House Ancelot

2. House Guilherme

3. House Rottmas

4. House Ndour

5. House Ixchel

6. House Linniue

7. House Bottomsley (tie)

7. House Riddlehoeven (tie)

7. House Lammermoor (tie)

8. House Damboue

9. House Amellal

10. House Tremblefield

11. House Rottmas

12. House Nunzio

13. House Ananu

14. House Yonel

15. House Barillot

16. House Oberon

17. House Achernar

18. House Nix

19. House Fenetry

20. House Carlinet

After the first twenty results, the other names whiz by. My mind seizes on one fact. Our houses are tied with House Bottomsley for seventh place! We must have moved up big time in the standings. Either that or System wants to put the pressure on us by painting a target on our backs. Or perhaps we really crushed it in our matches despite the odds. Despite a fire serpent and a thunderbird and a Burnt Millipede and an ornery giant crab doing their best to crush us.

However, our victory is not ours alone. One look at Zuba and Ophion tells me that they are quietly triumphing, not dancing in the end zone. Ophion undulates in a wriggle and Zuba raises a fist, but it is all humble and subdued.

Niall hisses. "They’re good. But not as good as we are. We are in seventh place right alongside them." Lifting his hands above his head, he basks in the limelight.

Minette beams at all of us. "Well done, everyone. Those were two hard-fought contests, one of which had a turn that was...well...unexpected to say the least. But you all performed just brilliantly. Look, here come Lightning and the cubs to congratulate you."

The pitter-patter of tiger paws announces Lightning and the cubs, as well as Hans, Maartenwitz, and Tomas. The cubs slobber all over everyone, especially me, their loving father. Hans hugs me. "That is for not getting wounded or poisoned," he whispers in my ear. "And for being fierce but not too ruthless."

I can’t resist licking his elf ears. They taste salty.

Lightning licks my face. [We’re tied for seventh. Seventh! You were so brave. Everyone says that the match against Janko and Wandi changed everything. Your cunning and your honor.]

I let out a little "mrrrp" and nuzzle her. [Honor? We put Wandi in the Medical Wing with a decidedly underhanded but legal move.]

I’m still bothered by what we had to do to win. But no place for scruples now. Besides, we followed the rules.

Perceiving my thoughts, Lightning elucidates so that I can understand. [But you didn’t do it with cruelty. And you stood up bravely against Janko when he was crazed. That is honor. That won our house much respect, as much as what Lobo and Demos did with Tempesta the Thunderbird.]

I relax, all my misgivings evaporating. We’ve achieved a top ten result. Victory is close. So close I can taste it.

The announcer reads the last result on the list and declares, "Ladies and gentleman, beast tamers and beast taming fans, those are the finalists of the Beast Taming Elimination Tournament! Now, historically, the final day has been unpredictable. Depending on the length of the matches, the final day can become two days or even three. Or it can be over before nightfall. And it is anyone’s game. I wish you all a good rest. There will be celebrations immediately after the tournament, as is customary, for the finalists who have gotten this far. They will take place in the Pavilion of the Beasts next to the arena. It is a time to regenerate and to celebrate the spirit of the games. We do hope to see you all there."

Applause from the audience. The beasts and their tamers make sounds of departure as they exit through the tunnels. Their destination: the Pavilion of Beasts.

Lamant, Minette, and Elandior gather us close. "We will understand if you wish to go back to our suites," Lamant says wisely.

Minette adds, "However, putting in an appearance would help. It would foster a spirit of cooperation. And don’t worry about sabotage from the other beasts or tamers."

Elandior rubs his hands together. "After what happened with Janko, no one would dare. And we will watch you all every second."

Kaline and Vedette look anxious, Kaline especially. Neither wants anything disastrous to happen. However, they’re young, and they look excited at attending the celebration. Hans tucks his arm in Kaline’s. He has the same youthful verve.

[Lobo? Do we risk it?]

My brother responds to my trepidation. [It’s part of this whole tournament. If we don’t go, it will look strange. But we stay together at all times.]

Lightning licks me. [And we leave as soon as we can because of the cubs.]

Finn and Leonie dance around with vigor, enthusiastic about the party. Maybe we can wear them out in no time and retire to our suite.

Suddenly, we’re following Lamant and Minette as beast and tamers pour into the tunnels. Onward to the party!