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"Delta. Delta!" Algon yelled as he ran into the staging room. Delta only huffed and turned away to face the wall, ignoring him.

"We saw you compete!"

Even though Algon was smiling, Delta showed him no sign of listening. He was still looking away with an unreadable expression on his face.

"It was really cool to watch?" Algon tried.

A low chuckle was the response. "Really? Cool? You thought it was cool that I messed up?"

"Well, no. I didn't mean it like that..."

"Well, I did!" Delta spun around furiously and Algon actually fell back a few steps. "Me. I screwed up! I lost my chance to win because of a stupid mistake! And it wasn't even a good one at that!"

"Don't say that! Everyone messes up sometime in their life. No one's perfect."

"But to lose for such a stupid reason. Overconfidence, impulsiveness, thinking I was sooo hot when in reality I had no flipping clue! I screwed everything up for dumb behaviors that I should have recognized and fixed a long time ago."

At this point, James arrived. Algon had, in a very uncharacteristic display, ran the entire way from the stadium to the staging area in his haste to talk with Delta. James had followed behind with a walking pace and had just now arrived to hear the tail end of Delta's rant.

"You know, it's ok. It's much better for you to mess up here than in a real situation where people could be harmed. It's not like the world is ending."

"But that's just it! It is like the world's ending. People will be harmed!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"HIM!" Delta suddenly pointed towards a startled Algon. "His planet! His people! Everything was riding on this tournament; to show them those idiots that Algon was competent. By winning the tournament, he would have completely destroyed any ideas that his planet was lacking in magical ability and by being a part of his team, I ruined that! I'm the one that prevented him from saving his world!"

The other two friends shared a quick glance. They hadn't realized that Delta had found out about Algon's issue, that his species could be relocated to another world. But that didn't matter right now.

James hung back, silent, while Algon sat down next to Delta. "Delta, it's not your fault."

"Yes, it is..."

He was interrupted. "No, it's not. Let me finish. This is so much bigger than you, and while it was a possibility that the tournament could help with my problem, it was never a guarantee. That means there's no reason to beat yourself up over it. We'll find a way to save my race eventually, but for now, I need you to relax. Grow as a person and understand what you failed at, and when I need you most, I know that you'll be by my side. Look at what you did right today. You managed to do so much; don't let your small fall prevent you from climbing higher." He smiled. "Rise above your failures, so you can help others rise above theirs. That's the only way we can get better in this world."

Delta sniffed, just a couple of tears in his eye, and looked up at Algon. "What is that, your inspirational statement of the year or something?"

"No, it was my mother's. She used to tell it to me when I was little and messed something up. I'll never forget it."

There was an underlying sadness to Algon's voice that made both Delta and James pause. Algon hadn't talked about his family much, and when he had he hadn't mentioned his mother at all. But now was not the time to ask, so they filed the question away for later.

Delta sighed and relaxed a bit. "That's a nice saying, Algon. Thank you.

"It was such a nice saying, wasn't it? So sweet and sentimental and really dumb. Ugh, it makes me sick."

All 3 of the friends spun around to see a familiar face strolling over.

"Ren."

"What's up lava brains? You miss me?"

Algon simmered, which was appropriate considering he was made of lava.

"What do you want Ren?" Delta spoke up, seeing that his friend wasn't going to.

"Nothing much. Just wanted to congratulate you on allowing us to get closer to winning."

"Us?"

"Oh right, how rude. Say hello to my teammates. This is Hrell and this one you might recognize more personally."

Two mages stepped out from behind Ren. Hrell was a hulking Earth Elementalist, there was no doubt about it with his huge frame and stony face. The other...

"Asdek?" Delta said.

"Surprise. He's part of my team, and you just handed us another ticket to the top. Don't feel too bad though; like Algon said, you're not going to save his planet, especially with something as simple as winning a tournament."

"Don't talk like that, you snob. We're not planning to let you just steal Algon's planet out from under his feet!"

"Oh?" Ren looked very surprised. "Why the hell are you here Mr. Pure Elementalist? Spectators aren't supposed to be down in this area, you know, so you're breaking the rules."

"I'm not a spectator. I'm participating in the tournament."

Ren fell back out of shock. "Are you serious? Do you think a weakling like you can compare to prodigies like us? Go home and except your failings before we have to beat it into you in front of everyone."

"Shut up!"

Everyone's eyes immediately snapped over to where Algon was now standing. He looked absolutely furious.

"How dare you speak to my friends like that!"

"Friends? You should find some more impressive mages if you wish to prove yourself and your species!"

"They aren't just my friends, they're my teammates too. In the upcoming rounds, we'll crush you and your ego to pieces and then you won't dare to touch us or my planet anymore!"

Ren laughed. "Such strong words for such a weak soul. When are you competing; I'll make sure to watch and laugh as you fail."

"In the Construct Arena, and I won't lose, so you might be disappointed."

"Ha, that's the event that Hrell is competing in. See if you can place in at least the top 20 for once."

"I'll get 1st, just you believe it!"

Ren turned on his heel and stalked away. Hrell followed, but Asdek hesitated for a moment with indecision on his face.

"Come on idiot! Let's leave these fools to their silly dreams."

Asdek winced and followed Ren away. After they were far enough away, Algon relaxed and slumped down like all of his air had disappeared. James and Delta were only able to stare.

"Wow, Algon. I think that was the fiercest we've seen you in, well, ever!"

James nodded his agreement.

Algon laughed drily. "That may have seemed fierce but it was all hot air. There's no way I can perform well enough to take 1st-place tomorrow, let alone to place in the top 20s. There's no hope at all!"

"Oh calm down!" Delta said. "I know that I had too much confidence, but you desperately need some. You're not weak at all, the only problem is that you think you are."

Algon looked over in shock and James hid a smile. Delta was telling the truth; Algon was actually quite strong in magic and with his personality, he just needed the confidence to push those that opposed him out of the way. Ren hadn't helped any either, with his slandering of Algon and his planet.

"Even if what you say is true, there's still not another outcome. Hrell is vastly more powerful than me..."

"And you aren't fighting him."

"What?"

"You aren't fighting Hrell," James said. "This isn't a battle to see which of you is directly stronger, it's much more than that. You're fighting an Elemental Construct, which is something you can fight and win against. So stop thinking that you've lost before the fight's even begun. That will just get you down more and stress you out before and during the fight. We've prepared enough, let's just relax and wait, and then tomorrow you can rise up to meet the challenges ahead of you."

Algon smiled. "Thanks." His stomach rumbled slightly, sounding like an annoyed volcano. "Um, want to go get something to eat?"

The next day, the stadium was packed to the brim. It was the final day of the Celestial Tournament so pretty much everyone was taking the day off of their work in order to watch. Algon, who was already in the staging area warming up, was going first. James, who was competing right afterward, was sitting in the team viewing area, currently glaring at a smug Ren sitting to his right.

"I know we don't exactly like that guy but come on. Not here at least." Delta came up beside James, reclipping parts of his armor.

James sighed. "I know, I know. But it drives me nuts that a guy like him can threaten Algon's planet in such a drastic way and there's nothing we can do."

Sliding into a seat beside him, Delta shook his head. "That's just the way some people are, I guess. But you're wrong about that last point."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. We can win the tournament for Algon!"

James turned his attention back to the arena. "That would help quite a bit, and it's technically still within the realm of possibility, even with your loss."

"I didn't place too badly once the points were analyzed," Delta said, taking out his amulet. "See? Although they docked a ton for my fall, I still managed to take 5th overall. If both you and Algon get 1stplace, then we'll be sure to win!"

"As I said, it's technically possible..."

"What, are you worried about Algon's chances? He's got this!"

"I'm not worried about Algon's abilities. I know he can do it. I'm more concerned about myself."

"Aw, come on man! Don't speak like that, especially not after Algon's little speech yesterday. Confidence is the key; you've got the ability to blast away the entire competition...It's starting!!!"

They stopped talking and turned their attention back just in time to see Strike vault into the arena on a bolt of lightning. "HELLO EVERYONE!! WELCOME TO THE FINAL DAY OF THE CELESTIAL TOURNAMENT. LET'S HEAR YOUR EXCITEMENT FOR TODAY'S COMPETITIONS!!!"

The crowd roared, filling the stadium with light and noise.

"TODAY WE HAVE TWO FINAL COMPETITIONS: THE CONSTRUCT ARENA AND AFTER THAT, THE MAGE DUELS! PLEASE WELCOME OUR MAGES FOR THE FIRST COMPETITION ONTO THE STAGE!"

The crowd cheered as the competitors walked out from the sides of the stadium to line up on the platform. Among them was Algon, wearing a determined expression. The platform began its ascent and Strike explained the rules of the round.

"IN THE CONSTRUCT ARENA, EACH MAGE WILL FACE OFF AGAINST AN ELEMENTAL CONSTRUCT. ALONE. ALL MAGIC STYLES AND WEAPONS ARE PERMITTED, BUT MAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE BOUNDS OF THE ARENA. THE MATCH WILL END WHEN THE MAGE SURRENDERS OR IS UNABLE TO FIGHT, OR IF THE ELEMENTAL SURRENDERS OR IS UNABLE TO FIGHT."

"Relax James," Delta said. "You look tenser than Algon, and he's the one who's competing."

"I know. I just can't stop imagining the ways that everything could go wrong."

"Chill. He's got this."

Algon was competing in the middle of the round shortly after Hrell, so he went to the side to watch the others. The arena this time looked much different than it had for Delta's round; instead of being composed of multiple floating platforms it was just a single massive circle, a ring. As the first mage stepped on, a huge sigil appeared in midair, its form projected to the crowd. It rapidly changed shape, shifting between different iterations.

"ALRIGHT! LET'S SEE WHAT OUR FIRST COMPETITOR GETS!"

The sigil slowed its shifting and finally settled on a very curvy design with a stylized cloud in the middle. The entire thing then glowed a light green and dissolved, the winds starting to pick up in the arena.

"OOH, LOOKS LIKE SHE GOT AN AIR ELEMENTAL!"

The winds collapsed into a huge spiraling tornado that touched down. The wind was so massive that the ground was shaking, and the audience could feel their hair move even through the anti-magic barrier. Huge metal gauntlets appeared, each with a swirling air design, and flew to hover beside the tornado. Finally, two eyes appeared in the middle of the tornado, glaring at the mage that was going to face it.

"IT'S READY TO GO! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT HER, THOUGH!"

She smiled defiantly and gave a thumbs up. "Let's do this!"

"IT'S A FIGHTIN' SPIRIT. LET'S SEE HOW IT PERFORMS WHEN PUT TO THE TEST! 3...2...1...BEGIN!"

The fight was very intense, even though the Elementals were tuned down for the students. She was blown off the platform multiple times, barely managing to use the earth to catch her, and had an especially difficult time dodging the explosions of air pressure that appeared whenever she stopped moving. In the end, though, it was still possible for her to come out on top.

"BY USING HER EARTH ELEMENTALISM TO SPLIT THE ELEMENTAL INTO PIECES, SHE HAS RENDERED IT UNABLE TO FIGHT! THEREFORE, WE HAVE A WINNER!"

Points in this round were given based on speed, Elemental difficulty, and the strategies used, so it wasn't a big deal that she went first. Still, the speed of her round surprised Delta.

"Don't you think that was a little fast? She barely started before she crushed it."

"Nah, you're forgetting that everything moves faster during the action. It took a lot longer than you thought."

Several other mages fought Elementals of every type, ranging from Earth to Lightning. It was random every time too, so there was no guarantee that the Elemental you fought would be the same as another's, even if it was the same element. To the disappointment of James and Delta, Hrell had an amazing performance, using his Earth Elementalism to block the lightning strikes his opponent called down. He won in record time as well, smashing it to pieces with brute strength. It was a good thing that the Elemental Constructs couldn't feel pain, otherwise, it would have screamed in agony from such a powerful blow. Ren sneered at James and Delta when Hrell won as if to say, "Top that."

Finally, it was Algon's turn to fight. He stood up, still wearing a determined expression that hadn't faded throughout the entire round, and entered the arena, ignoring Hrell's jabs as he did so. The sigil formed overhead and began to cycle through Elementals.

"AND NOW WE HAVE ONE OF OUR LAST COMPETITORS, ALGON REINS! LET'S SEE WHAT HE'S GOING TO GET!"

The sigil slowed down and then settled on a design with a strange swirl in the middle. Upon seeing it, Algon's face paled drastically and his hands balled into fists. The sigil then glowed blue and vanished.

James' face was a mask of horror. "Oh dear lord."

"Why, what's wrong."

He looked at Delta slowly. "Remember how I said that I was thinking about everything that could possibly go wrong? Well, something just went very, very wrong."

Delta raised an eyebrow in question. "What, exactly?"

"There was only one Elemental type that Algon was significantly worried about. And unfortunately, he just got it."

A small lake formed in the middle of the arena and swirled upwards into a liquid figure. It opened glowing blue eyes and stared at Algon.

"Oh no," Delta whispered.

"THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOLKS. IT LOOKS LIKE ALGON'S GOTTEN HIMSELF A WATER ELEMENTAL. AS A FIRE ELEMENTALIST, THIS IS THE FIRST HARD COUNTER WE'VE SEEN DURING THIS ENTIRE ROUND!"

Ren was laughing. "Hahaha, now that idiot's gotten his fire put out! There's no way he can win this one, let alone come out in first place."

"Shut up! Don't discount him before he's even started!" Delta shouted across the room, his eyes furious. Quietly, he whispered to James, "What are the chances of Algon winning this fight?"

"Honestly? Less than 20%. A Water Elemental is a direct counter to Algon's entire affinity. But let's not discount him yet!"

"Yes!"

They both turned their attention back to the arena as Strike started his countdown.

"3...2...1...BEGIN!"

Algon immediately dodged to the right, avoiding a blast of pressured water that sprang up where he had been standing. Tumbling to the ground, he summoned his Fire Staff and threw a fireball. The Elemental didn't even flinch as it hit, instantly disappearing into a harmless bit of steam as it made contact with its watery body.

"Crud," Algon said. "Looks like I can't even hurt him with basic fire spells."

He dodged another blast and used his staff to deflect several globes that hurtled toward him. Their explosions still pushed him back to the edge of the arena.

"Damn! Several more of these and I'll be toast! I have to stop being so defensive."

Next time the Elemental blasted him, he rolled directly to the side and pointed his hand outwards, summoning a sigil.

"Fire Prism!"

A huge blast of fire exploded outwards, slightly damaging the Elemental, but also knocking it back. The crowd cheered, seeing that he wasn't going to be defeated so easily.

"So it is possible to hurt him with fire, but not very much. I wonder if I can knock him off the arena?"

Algon went to test his theory with a barrage of fireballs, each exploding lightly against the Elemental but pushing it back slowly. Seeing that it was losing ground, the Elemental roared and gathered up its right arm, forming the water that composed it into a shield. With it, it was able to block all of the incoming fireballs with very little effort. It then slammed the shield into the ground, causing a wave of water to explode outwards.

"Not good!"

"How is he going to get out of this?"

Algon looked at the oncoming wall of water and gauged its height. Then, he jumped high into the air and pointed his staff downwards.

"Fire Detonation!"

The spell went straight into the ground and the explosion blasted Algon upwards, lifting him free of the wave. He crashed back into the ground, still in the game, but a little worse for wear.

"See?" Delta looked at Ren. "You shouldn't discount him so fast!"

"So what? There's no way he can win, so he's only delaying his inevitable defeat!"

Algon stood back up and glanced around quickly, analyzing his options as the Elemental refocused on him.

"Confidence, confidence. I can do this!"

The Water Elemental roared again and sent blasts of water traveling through the ground. Algon spun his staff and thrust it forwards, creating a massive zone of fire that liquified the rocky floor in front of him, stopping the attack. Seeing an opening, he reached down and to the surprise of everyone, stuck his hand in the lava!

"What does he think he's doing! I don't care if he's a Fire Elementalist, that's just plain stupid!"

Even the crowd was stunned into silence, but Algon wasn't finished. He suddenly glowed bright orange as the lava rushed up his body to fill in the spaces between his rocky plates.

"Right! We forgot! Algon's from a volcano planet. Heck, his species' made of rock and lava! Of course, he's able to touch lava safely!"

Algon stood up, glowing brightly and clasped his hands, pointing them at the Elemental. He shook with the assembled energy and his eyes glowed.

"Supercharge!"

A massive storm of energy and lava exploded from his hands, blasting across the arena to smash into the Elemental. The ground blistered from the blast and a shockwave erupted outwards that encompasses the stadium.

"WHAT POWER! AN AMAZING ABILITY THAT ALGON'S SPECIES APPARENTLY POSSESSES HAS JUST TURNED THE TIDE OF THIS FIGHT!"

Algon was left drained and breathing heavily, but smiling nonetheless. It took a lot of energy to use that ability, but it was worth it in the end. He turned towards where James and Delta and grinned triumphantly. James and Delta cheered back, but suddenly changed their expressions.

"Look out!"

Algon was blasted over by a torrent of water, completely swept off his feet. In the middle of the arena, the Elemental rose up, not yet finished. It threw its hands out and roared, sending water cascading across the arena, creating a lake. Then, it dove in and merged with the water, disappearing from sight entirely. A moment of silence fell, with Algon panting from where he had been thrown.

The lake erupted. The Elemental towered over Algon, using the lake itself for a body. It roared again and smashed down, creating an impossibly high wave that surged forwards. Algon had no time to do anything before he was submerged and dragged to the bottom of the lake.

"Algon!" James and Delta both yelled. Lydia was yelling too from across the stadium. They all could see him struggling as he went deeper, but it was in vain.

"Too bad," Ren sneered. "Looks like he was too weak after all, and now his light's going out."

"You... YOU!"

Delta was stopped by James' arm.

"Now is not the time to be fighting. Focus!"

Delta turned back to watch the battle. James was right, his teammate was more important!

Algon was completely in the lake, deep under the surface. The pressure was immense and soon he stopped flailing around, instead using all of his strength to avoid being crushed. Dimly, he saw the audience in the stadium. Strike was saying something, but he couldn't make out what.

"So...so cold. Can't last much longer, what's going on? Blue everywhere. I'm...I'm underwater Can't do anything, losing strength."

He looked up and saw Strike watching him intently. Seeming to decide on something, he began to turn around to face the crowd.

"No...no. Going to lose, I can't lose. Too many...counting on me here today. But I can do nothing. Delta said to have confidence. My friends said to have confidence. But I have none."

Strike began to talk above him.

"Come on Algon. Believe. Believe. Everyone else believes. Everyone believes I can win. I believe I can win. Everyone believes I can help my friends. I believe I can help my friends."

Algon's struggles increased a bit and Strike paused.

"I believe I can help others. I believe I can save my planet!"

Strike flew down closer, intently staring. The surface of the lake began to churn.

"I believe I am strong! Strong enough to stand up when I'm pushed down! Strong enough to keep going!"

James, Delta, and Lydia all stopped their yelling and the Elemental suddenly roared.

"I BELIEVE I'M STRONG ENOUGH TO WIN!!!"

Algon erupted in a blaze of power. The water surrounding him was blasted backward, falling before a terrifying strength. Algon got up from the ground, surrounded on all sides by walls of water, but staring defiantly at the Elemental. Everyone's mouth fell open.

"What? That's impossible," Ren whispered.

"No, that's not impossible," Delta said with excitement. "That's Algon."

Algon looked up at the Elemental towering over him, but it didn't feel so huge anymore. His aura flared and it seemed to be that he was fire incarnate.

"I BELIEVE THAT I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO SAVE MY ENTIRE PLANET, MY ENTIRE SPECIES, AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE DEAR TO ME. YOU...WILL...NOT...STOP...ME... HERE!!!"

With a crash, the Fire Staff appeared in his hand. He spun it. gathered a tremendous amount of energy, and slammed the end on the ground.

"SPECIAL MOVE!"

The audience's mouths dropped open and even Strike looked shocked. Special moves were incredibly strong attacks that were the defining moves of a mage. Even though they weren't as strong as Ultimates, they were still amazing.

"Fire's RISE!!!"

Flame encompassed the stage, burning everything to ashes. The pillar formed reached the sky and could be seen for miles. When it disappeared, the lake was gone, having evaporated into steam, and much of the arena had melted to lava. The Elemental was alone, now without a water source. It roared, but Algon was undeterred.

"It's time to end this!"

He slammed his foot down and the vast amounts of lava from the melted stage flowed towards him. His body glowed bright, blinding orange and a spiraling sphere of lava formed in the air around him. Watching this display, the Water Elemental fell back; from its perspective, Algon towered over the stage, a giant of magic and might.

Algon slowly looked up at the Elemental and breathed in. His voice, when he spoke, came out breathy and quiet, but carried the intensity of a star.

"Supercharge."

The entire arena burned like a supernova and a sound like a thousand roars crashed through the anti-magic barrier, shattering it to pieces. Every person in the stadium was blasted to the floor, the walls shook and cracked, and even Strike himself stumbled. In the eye of the light, Algon stood like a god, staff extended forwards to destroy anyone that would block his way. When the light died, the only thing left in the almost-destroyed arena was Algon; the Elemental had been annihilated.

The audience was stunned into silence and Algon glanced tiredly at Strike, who incredulously turned back to face the crowd.

"I believe... we have a winner."

The crowd erupted, cheers raining down. Even the Masters were standing, showing their respect. James and Delta busted out of their seats, almost breaking them in their haste to stand. Ren could only stare in silence, besides himself with shock.

"I knew he could do it! I KNEW HE COULD DO IT! YEAH!!!" Lydia was blasting her voice to the maximum, and for once, no one minded.

With an exhausted grin, Algon faced the audience and bowed. Then, he collapsed, not too hurt, but completely done for the rest of the day.