The day started like any other. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the bustling town. The group of The Rising Heroes, Li, Sera,Adrian,Doran arrrived at the guild hall. The guild was a lively pce, filled with adventurers of all kinds, each looking for their big quest. The mission board was the heart of the guild, covered in parts of various colors, each detailing a different mission. Some were simple, like gathering herbs or delivering messages, while others were more dangerous, like sying monsters or expl a ruins.

  Li took charge, as she always did, sing the board for a quest that would challehe team but not overwhelm them. She was careful, always thinking about the safety and strengths of her teammates. Her eyes first nded on a quest titled "Escort the Mert Caravan to Silverleaf Vilge." It seemed straightforward, but Li quickly dismissed it. "Too easy," she muttered. "We need something that will really test our skills.", she noticed a quest beled "Defeat the Bandits of Bckwood Forest." The reward was substantial, but Li hesitated. "Bckwood Forest is dangerous, and we don't know how many bandits there are. It's too risky without more information." Her eyes then caught a quest that read "Retrieve the A Reli the Suemple." The descriptioioned uer ruins and potential traps. Li shook her head. "Sera isn't strong with water magid Doran's skills are better suited for nd. This isn't the right fit for us." Finally, her gaze settled on a quest that seemed just right: "Retrieve the Lost Crystal Shard from the Cave of Echoes." The descriptioioned a mystical cave filled with echoes that could disorient intruders, but the reward was worth the risk. "This one looks perfect," Li said, reag for the paper.

  But just as her fiouched the part, another hand nded on it simultaneously. She turo see a tall, striking figure smirking at her. He had an air of fidence, almost arrogance, and his eyes gleamed with amusement. His skin had a faint, shimmering quality, and his presence was anding. This was Raedon, the Thunder S, leader of Ptinum Edge. He was a dragonkind, a rare and powerful raown for their strength and magical abilities. His crimson scales glinted in the light, and his golden eyes seemed to pierce through her."That's my quest," Raedon decred fidently."No," Li shot baarrowing her eyes. "I got to it first."The man's smirk grew wider. "You might've touched it, but I had my eyes on it long before you did. Finders keepers."Li's frustration boiled over. "Listen, I don't care who saw it first. I picked it up, so it's ours!"Raedon ughed, the sound ced with arrogance. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"

  One of his teammates chimed in. "That's Raedon, the Thunder S, leader of Ptinum Edge."Li raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to be impressed?"Raedon's smirk turned into a scowl. "Watch your tongue, girl. You're speaking to one of the stro adventurers in the guild. How about this? Instead uing like childre's settle this the proper way—with a fight."Li, fueled by her petitive spirit, didn't hesitate. "Fine. Bring it on."Raedon's expression shifted to a smug grin. "Let's find an open space then, and be prepared to lose."

  ---

  The two groups left the guild and headed to a nearby training ground. The training ground was a rge, open area with a dirt floor, surrounded by wooden fences. It ce where adventurers could practice their skills ale disputes without causing too much damage. The air was thick with tension as the two teams faced each other.

  Raedon expihe rules with an air of superiority. "It'll be a series of one-oches. Whichever team wins more matches gets the quest.""Sounds fair," Li agreed.Raedon chuckled darkly. "Oh, but there's ohing—you only have four members. My team has five. So, teically, we've already got one point.""That's ridiculous!" Li snapped."Rules are rules," Raedon said smugly.The argumeed, with her side willing to back down. Then, a calm yet anding voiterrupted them.

  "I'll be the fifth member."

  All eyes turo the newer: a tall, muscur figure with crimson wings folded ly behind him. His golden eyes glowed faintly, and his presence was both intimidating and enigmatic. He had a strong jawline, and his skin had a slight reddish hue, hinting at his draic heritage. His armor was sleek and bck, with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer in the light.Raedon's face twisted in surprise and anger. "Drakar? What are you doing here?"Drakar, his twin brother, stepped forward. "I have my reasons. Let me joieam."Raedon's demeanor turned cold. "Fine. But don't think I'll go easy on you just because we're family."Drakar met his gaze, unfling. "I wouldn't expect you to."

  With the teams now even, the stage was set for an intetle. Raedon's smug griurned, but a hint of seriousness fshed in his eyes. "Alright, the's see who es out on top."The tension was visable as the teams prepared for the csh. Li's team huddled together, their determination unwavering. Raedon's team, fident and cocky, stood ready, their reputation as one of the stroeams in the guild fueling their arrogahe training ground seemed to hold its breath as the two groups faced off, the fiery rivalry between them igniting like a spark to dry tihe air crackled with anticipation, the promise of an epic showdown hanging heavy. Both teams khis wasn't just about a quest,it was about pride, strength, and proving who deserved to stand at the top. The fight was about to begin, aher side was willing to back down.