455 Tournament 1.6 (2/2)

Either way, he could feel that Raven wasn't an enemy. The kindness that the child expressed was genuine, therefore there's no reason for him to hate him to cut connections with him.

***

Due to how short the last match were, the arena was fixed rather quickly. After re-activating the protective array around the arena, the referee announced that the third match of the day will begin shortly.

The previously awkward atmosphere within the stadium were gone and was replaced by heated discussions and excitement yet again. And compared to the previous matches, it would seem that many people were actually looking forward to this match the most.

This inevitably caught Raven's attention, causing him turn to Albert and ask him: ”Do you know who will be fighting next?”

”Pyra Crawford and Mira Crawford.” Albert replied, causing Raven to raise an eyebrow.

”Oh, so it's the twins eh?” Raven sighed and shook his head softly. There was an expression of melancholy on his eyes. Something that Albert noticed.

”What's with the sudden gloom?” Albert asked.

”Oh! Uh, nothing much really.” Raven replied, ”I just thought about somethings. Don't mind me.”

Seeing the sudden shift on his friend's mood, caused Albert to be reminded about a few things.

”Oh, right. I remember you telling me that you have twin sisters. Pyra and Mira must've caused you to remember your family in the lower realms.”

Raven simply nodded and didn't say anything. Albert was right, the Crawford Twins caused him to be reminded of Venina and Victoria, those two cute little buggers that kept pulling his face and skin whenever he's playing with them.

Having thought about his sisters also caused him to think about his parents, in-laws and the people he left behind in the lower realms.

Raven knew that they were safe, he was confident about it since if they weren't then the arrangements he left before departing would've been triggered by now. Additionally, he also left Venus behind and ordered her solemnly to protect them behind the shadows. All of this, just to make sure that they live their lives in peace and for him to press on without worries.

Still, he couldn't help but miss home. But right now he can't.

There's just too much for him to do. Before he's able to secure a decent foundation within the Divine Realm, he can't return nor bring them here. Right now, he doesn't know how long it's going to take for him to achieve his goals but there's no other way and no room for failure. Therefore he had to endure and remain strong.

Lost on his musings, Raven was late to realize that the match was almost beginning. If it weren't for the loud announcement of the referee, he wouldn't notice it.

”Left side, Mira Crawford!” The referee pointed at the girl who wore the maroon uniform and has a purple hair.

”Right side, Pyra Crawford.” The only difference about her, is that this girl's hair is red.

”Same rules apply! The match with start in three! Two! One! Begin!”

”Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!”

”I win!”

”I lost!”

The crowd: ”…”