Author's Note: I must give credit to my husband for Syn'Rae's abilities, as Syn'Rae is a character of his creation, as are Daeranin and Mythias. And yes, next chapter is the continuation of the Casual Round, involving Adam, Edgar, Freya, and Beatrix. Oh, and I'm doing something new and writing these chapters on the fly, as not even I know who will win. And thank you to Shishio for his constans reviews. Enjoy, everyone!

Chapter 19: The Heroes Joust

There were no rounds in the Heroes Joust. Alaya and Syn'Rae, Ora and Daeranin, and Gelendra and Mythias all went into the arena at the same time. They were given a few moments to organize, and get into place, and then the trumpet sounded.

Daeranin launched five arrows in rapid succession, as Ora charged in underneath their rain. Gelendra began to play on her flute, staying in the back as was suitable, and Mythias let fly his own volley, dividing his shot between both the opposing sides. Alaya leapt up into the air, dodging the arrows, and Syn'Rae charged in to meet Ora, his sword flashing out at the last second to meet hers with a melodic ring.

"Wow!" Vivi gasped. "I didn't even see his sword be drawn!"

"He's my teacher," Zentarou said, "and the master of the Ra'a'shien style."

Alaya by this time had come down with a piercing crash onto Daeranin, knocking the elf from his feet. She didn't get the chance for a second strike, however, as the ranger fired up at her from a prone position, forcing her to dodge. Mythias took opportunity of the prone state to fire a few arrows himself, several of which struck home on both vixen and elf.

Ora and Syn'Rae were going at it toe-to-toe, swords ringing off of each other in almost a melody. They were locked fiercely, neither yielding. Then suddenly, both of them began to wobble on their feet. Gelendra had changed her song.

"Her bard's abilities allow her to affect those in battle," Zentor said. "She can aid Mythias, or hinder the others."

"I bet Eiko would love to learn to do that," Zidane said entranced.

Alaya leapt again, and landed on Mythias with a powerful strike, much more so than her normal attacks. He thudded into the ground, and she didn't let up, sending in a rapid series of land hits and pierces that knocked the ebon elf across the ground a couple of feet. She jumped up again as he rose, and fell down upon him again. This time, he didn't get up. One down.

Ora brought her shield into play, using it to batter Syn'Rae backwards. She charged in as he tumbled, and scored a few beautiful hits, before Syn'Rae could recover. Abruptly, Alaya leapt again, lance point up.

"Eeeeeeemmmmmmbbbeeeerrrrrr!" An amazing transformation came over her. Her armor turned shining gold, and gold dragon wings unfolded from her back. Her fur glistened brightly, as if struck by direct sunlight. She hovered briefly midair, and those keen enough of eye saw her wince slightly, before she hurled the lance down. It exploded when it struck Daeranin, and knocked him back considerable, out of the battle. She jumped yet again, as Gelendra wisely bowed out of the fight. Up pointed the lance again, as the sky went dark. The stars appeared, with the moon centered behind her, full and glowing. She herself began to glow. Meanwhile, Syn'Rae was tracing a rune in their air with his hand, an oriental symbol that no one understood. Then he shifted his stance, his leading foot going up onto the toe, and leaning a bit back on his back leg. Zentarou tensed.

"I know this one... And Moonlit Phantom too!"

"What's going on?" asked Teela.

"Just watch." Syn'Rae ran forward at Ora, who tried to dodge but couldn't move out of the way in time, and hit her once, twice, three, four five six times, never from the back, each time leaving behind a shadowy image of the Seluani elf. But then he surprised even Zentarou, by backing up again and waiting. Alaya took this chance to hurl down her lance, and to the amazement of those watching people appeared, spiritual beings, all wielding spectral versions of Alaya's lance. They charged in, slamming into Ora from every side, knocking her left, right, up into the air, and then back down again. The final two came from below, knocking her up into the air, and then back down to almost crater the ground. Yet still, she staggered to her feet, as a golden light faded from around her.

"She used her invincible!" Cedras gasped, recognizing the ability. But Syn'Rae wasn't done yet.

The elf charged in again, so fast that he became a blur. He hit Ora at the same time as the shadow-versions, and all seemed to strike in unison. Ora jerked, and then Syn'Rae appeared behind her, sheathing his blade even as she slumped to the ground, out.

The trumpets sounded the end of the match.