Page 43 of Monster's Baby

My gaze followed the newcomer as they flew in loops in the sky.Another flier swooped in, looking like they were going to crash, but they barely brushed, only enough to light the new torch.

Two more fliers came in, and then four more, exponentially growing until it seemed as though they couldn’t fly without bumping into someone else’s broom.The choreography was full of thrilling near-misses and death-defying stunts.

At last, the fliers all gathered in the middle, their bodies extinguishing the torch light from the ground.One flier burst from the top, their torch still lit, and the others flew away, dark specks in the night sky.The lone flier swooped slowly down, taking their time and covering every inch of space with their movements.

A cry went up from the far side of the amphitheater, and I whipped my head around to see what had happened.

A magical wave was building at one end of the bowl, large and menacing.The solo flier was hovering mid-air opposite it, the torch glittering bravely.

They charged at each other, the wave cresting and crashing down well above our heads, racing to extinguish the torch.The flier cast a bubble charm at the last second, safely making it through the wave with the torch still lit.

A wild cheer rose up from everyone, audience and competitors included.

My heart was racing, but I couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or nervousness.

The flier proceeded to the massive torch permanently set in the ground.When they got closer, they paused, doubling back to hover in place again.

I stood on my tiptoes, trying to see what they were looking at.

“There are three sandstorm tornadoes blocking the way,” Aiden whispered.

As soon as he said it, they stretched up until everyone could see them.The winds were whipping, people’s hair blowing in the breeze.

The flier created a magical bow, placed the torch like an arrow, and launched it directly at the middle tornado, and the main torch behind it.

A collective gasp resounded in the amphitheater.I held my breath, crossing my fingers.It felt like time slowed down as the torch flew through the air...And then it struck the tornado in a perfect hit.

The tornado exploded, and the torch continued on, right into the center of the larger torch.

There was silence for a moment, the other two tornadoes vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Darkness reigned.

A flicker of fire, and then the large torch burst into life, signaling the start of the Magical Olympics.

Cheers erupted once more.

I was impressed by the theatrics of the event.I hadn’t really considered how useful magic could be in creative pursuits.It was something I was eagerly looking forward to exploring with Aiden after graduation.

The announcer came on once more, without the crackle of non-magical electronics.“Would the contestants for accuracy please report to the north end of the facility?Everyone else, let the competitors through before you find your seats.”

Despite the announcer’s warning, everyone started moving at once.

Clarissa grabbed my hand and started trying to push through the crowd.

“There’s no way,” I said, biting off a grunt when I was shoulder-checked by a mountain of a man.

“Siobhan!”Aiden called, already in the distance.“Good luck!”

I waved to show I’d heard him, and then refocused on Clarissa’s broad back.Someone stepped on my foot.“Ow!”I grumbled.“This is ridiculous.We’re going to take the high road.”

“Do you have winged shoes?”Clarissa asked.

“Oh, no.It’s a hovering charm.Cast it on your shoes, and then we can walk in the air over everyone’s heads.”I showed her the charm, which she got on the first try, and we quickly rose into the air.

Several people clapped for us as we walked overhead, and we could hear cheering from the audience.

“We’re arriving in style,” Clarissa whispered to me, bending over so her voice wouldn’t carry.

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