The competitors lined up at their starting areas. The starting horn detonated across the arena like a thunderclap.
Hokori and Aiden veered away from the pack immediately — choosing synergy over solo flair. Paired tricks meant bonus points… if you were insane enough to attempt them.
Hokori hit a rail, grinding hard before launching upward in a spiraling burst of speed. At the peak, he cut his engine — dropping in a controlled, violent corkscrew that mimicked a tornado tearing itself apart.
Aiden didn’t even blink.
He boosted straight toward Hokori like a comet, flipped upside?down mid?air, and the two met seven meters above the arena floor — boards hovering inches apart through a mix of wave?lift tech, raw skill, and either stubbornness or spite.
They held the pose for a moment, rotating off each other before breaking off.
The arena erupted.
The announcer’s voice cracked: “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN — DID YOU SEE THAT!?”
The screens replayed the stunt in slow motion. Silence. Then an explosion of cheers that shook the towers.
“WILD! JUST WILD! STARGAZE IS BACK!”
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Elijah stared up at the replay, mouth open, eyes wide.
“…this is Stargaze?” he whispered.
Casey, cheeks stuffed with candy, yelled through the sugar: “GOOD JOB BROTHER! SHOW THEM WHY WE’RE CALLED STARGAZE!”
Stella sighed. “Casey, you’re going to choke.”
The feed cut to Storm Anvil. Daemon Celleti executed a rotating backflip — clean, sharp, clearly meant to compete.
The crowd cheered… but not like before.
Casey booed loudly at the screen. Elijah laughed, warmth blooming in his chest. He wasn’t just watching a tournament — he was watching history.
---
Back on the Luna
Jaden flipped through stacks of paper, punching numbers into a calculator like it owed him money.
“Imalaaaa,” he groaned.
“What?” she snapped, elbow?deep in pulser brickets and wind?veins.
“You spent too much! We’re gonna have to hunt sky whales for food!”
A roar erupted from the towers. The radio crackled, then sharpened:
“WILD! JUST WILD! STARGAZE IS BACK!”
Imala grinned — a grin that made Jaden’s soul leave his body.
“You… you didn’t—”
“Put a bet on Stargaze at the markets when you weren’t looking?” she said. “Of course not.”
Jaden wilted. “We’re doomed.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she laughed.
---
Back at the Arena
Round One ended with Hokori and Aiden taking first place.
Stella patted them both on the shoulder. “Good run. Aiden, Casey — we’re up next.”
Hokori’s expression sharpened. “Stella, Casey — in the next round, pay extra attention to Storm Anvil. Especially Daemon.”
Stella nodded, tightening her gloves.
The next event was about to begin.
---
