My Promise To You [COMPLETE]

Chapter 8: Labyrinth

"To all the guilds participating in the Grand Magic Games, ohayogozaimasu!" A voice boomed throughout the city.

You all heard it, and ran straight to the balcony. Everyone looked up to see a giant holographic pumpkin-mascot, and by the look of it, it was short and stubby.

"What the hell is that huge thing?" Natsu wondered.

"Its a three-dimensional image of some kind," Lucy pointed out.

"It's a giant creepy pumpkin, obviously. It's name is Mato," Eris informed them.

The pumpkin mascot continued to speak, "Starting now, we're going to take all 113 teams and have an elimination round to pair them down!"

"An elimination round?!" Gray sounded surprised.

"We didn't hear about this." Erza was shocked as well.

"Interesting, huh? There wasn't an elimination round last time, but I guess there has to be with the amount of guilds participating this year," you snickered.

You and Eris glanced at each other and grinned, but all of you continued to listen to Mato for what he has prepared for the competition.

He started to do a little dance as he began to explain, "Each year, the number of guilds who participate increases and pointed out the events were getting bland. This time, there will only be eight teams joining the official games."

"8 out of 113?!" Eris' eyes went big.

"Don't worry. We'll be one of the eight," you said with confidence.

"The elimination rules are simple!" Mato announced.

The ground started to shake. No, the inn started to rumble and shake, rising up into the air, plus a sick Natsu. You held on to the railing with Lucy and Gray, while Eris and Erza, who used a sword, were balancing themselves on the ground. What kind of event was prepared for the guilds tonight?

"What is this? The inn is moving! Kya!" Erza squealed. That was the first time she screamed like a little girl in front of you. It was amusing.

"Look! All the other inns are moving too!" Gray shouted and pointed at the other inns. Like you, they too were rising.

"Change is a man's romantic fantasy!" Elfman exclaimed.

Mato then started explaining the rules of the mysterious event, "You are all going to race each other! The goal is the games arena, Domus Flau. The first eight teams to make it there will continue participating in the games."

Stone paths started appearing in the air.

"Those paths are leading...where?" Erza asked.

"You are all free to use magic. There are no restrictions. But remember, only the first eight teams will have to hurry to survive this round! All five members must arrive together or it doesn't count!" Mato said with glee.

'Survive...?'  You wondered.

"One more thing, everyone! Any lives lost in the labyrinth isn't our responsibility..."

"Labyrinth?" Natsu blurted out.

Everyone looked up. A giant, red structure had appeared over the holographic pumpkin. It had a certain design to it, and shiny lights inside, which made the entire thing glow under the night sky. It had strings attached to it, connecting to other buildings around it. All the stone paths had led directly to it.

This was the Grand Magic Game's elimination round.

"Sky Labyrinth...begin!" Mato begun the event.