With the matches now over for the day the crowds were celebrating even more. So many talking about and dissecting how each match had gone down, the types of magic used. Bets that were made, won and lost. The pubs and bars alive with even more business as they would celebrate wel into the night.
All six remaining teams were escorted out and back to their dorms. The two members of Juno Tower being led to the infirmary as requested, they needed to check their own teammate before the next match.
Tomorrow would be an even more monumental day. Tomorrow two teams would eliminated.
Seryn and Vespera arriving at the infirmary, Lisa sat in her cot, her hands and most of her arms wrapped and bandaged, though she still smiled a little seeing her teammates.
"How're you feeling? They treat you well? Let me see." Vespera said sitting at Lisa's bedside and holding her hands and arms, inspecting the treatment, care and concern in her eyes
"I'm fine, I'm fine. You know capital healers. They're very quick with healing. I woke up by the time the third match was at its halfway point, I could hear on the radio. They said I should be alright by tomorrow." Lisa explained assuring Vespera, her gaze now shifting to Seryn "Well? Tell me what's got you so quiet?" She asked now
"You should've let me take that one. He's too slippery. All of them are." Seryn said still standing off to the side
"That's not what's bothering you." Lisa said able to know what her partner truly meant
"I don't like seeing my friends get hurt.." Seryn admitted
"I'm the one foolish enough to have pushed myself so hard. I'm incredibly lucky." Lisa assured her "I'll be alright, really." She added more serious
Seryn exhaling through her nose as she sat down as well beside Vespera choosing to stay for awhile as well.
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Meanwhile in the Garden of Ligeria Dorm:
"You let that boy off too easily today." Aquaria said sitting on the couch as she looked to the balcony where Rosa stood
"He was far too weak to be fighting, but whoever trained him did an excellent job. His skill with manipulating water was almost second nature. I simply was curious to see how his mind would fair. He was determined, but there was something else.. different about him, like he was from another place." Rosa explaining her reasoning
"You're certain? I couldn't smell anything coming from him, other than a very strong sense of violence. A culled Bloodlust. Like the taint of corruption that has been bleached out." Sierra chimed in giving her own honest thoughts
"He is a mysterious one, but not as much as the one who leads. He is wrapped in flames that even my gaze cannot pierce." Aquaria added as well being serious
"We must take great care with events moving forward. Much is obscured, the Royal guard has never been this present." Rosa commented as she looked down at the streets below taking note of the number knights present throughout the city as people went on about their night
"Then they suspect something is to happen in the next few days." Aquaria said more stern
"I don't like any of this. This is all wrong, this entire tournament is off." Sierra commented as well
"For now we must remain calm and vigilant, and rest. We have a big day tomorrow and we shall give it our all." Rosa said turning back to her teammates now
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Meanwhile in Juni's team's dorm:
All three teenagers were sitting around the fireplace. Eugene finally coming clean about what he had seen.
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"I still don't believe any of this. You said so yourself this stuff was fairy tales!" Juni proclaimed
"I did... ones that Akina told me and Taiga." Eugene corrected making her even more annoyed at this omission of fact until now
"I just can't believe you believe." Taiga said leaning back in her chair
"All I know now is... nothing good is going to come of this. Whether we advance or not. Someone's toying with us, that battle was too close for even a normal sanctioned match." Eugene warned them both
Juni leaning forward her hand resting on her chin her mind unable to see pathetic full puzzle before her. She could start to feel that whispering in her ear, a silent whispering that only grew more intense. Both siblings could notice her grip on her armchair tightening.
"Juni.." Eugene said softly as this snapped her out of this trance looking at her friends panicked a little
"You sure you're feeling alright?" Taiga asked concerned
"I'm alright.. just an old wound, poison still flairs up now and then." Juni lied as she stood slowly and departed to try and get some rest
But both Eugene and Taiga knew better. She experiencing something deeper, her aura felt like another's entirely at times, like a shadow ever present on her shoulder and in her eyes. Waiting to take control and devour what made her herself...
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Meanwhile in Cole's dorm:
Rin was sitting with Iris and Faye. None of them should have been there, one of many reason the Royal Knights were so present. With so many rogue individuals roaming the capital and the royal palace itself having been broken into a few days prior. Now the first injury of the tournament.
"What have you all found out so far?" Rin said
"Nothing much within the private libraries we don't already know." Iris said inturn
"Very much of what has happened within the foundation has been well documented." Faye added as well
"I think Manaan Legio is more likely to try and uproot the games, Castle Tsukuyomi will follow." Cole voiced
"You would do well to keep an eye on yours... I can smell that venom growing inside her." Tigress said now as this put everyone on edge, her gaze shifting to Rin as he locked onto her
"And you would do well to watch yourself. I am aware of what afflictions my daughter has. I have faith she will keep herself in check." Rin said his tone dangerously controlled
"Then I will speak no more of this. But consider yourself warned. Nothing good is coming out of this tournament." Tigress said leaning back now
"We must, remain cautious. Our foes will play this out how they want." Aaron added as well as they all took this in now
"We need to get going. Xylia and Raiden will start to get worried, and you two can't be here long either." Rin said referring to Iris and Faye as he stood
"We will get to the bottom of this. You have my word." Cole assured Rin
"Just be sure you keep my daughter safe. Otherwise, my wife will be very angry with you, and I will be just as upset." Rin said lastly before disappearing from the balcony
Cole sighing to himself as he also walked to the balcony and stayed there. Aaron having been silent and observing the whole time. He still did not understand much of what was happening, but he was not ignorant to the danger looming over this tournament.
"What do think of all this?" He finally asked looking at Tigress momentarily surprising her
"I can't say anything for certain." She said looking out at Cole now "But what I do know, is nothing ever good comes of being around someone like him. Friends are not a luxury he can afford. He feels an immense responsibility when they get hurt. Remember that if you wish to continue to fighting alongside him." She explained further looking at Aaron now before departing to get some rest herself
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Meanwhile in the Manaan Legio dorm:
Both teams of Manaan Legio and Castle Tsukuyomi had once again met up. Much against the rules and regulations of the tournament. With even more guards present it was even more risky to leave their dorms and risk being caught.
"You're certain he was trained by her? You're absolutely sure the Priestess had received such a blessing?" Count Drahonst said sternly
"He has indeed been in the company and being so blessed to learn from her." Lord Vladar said smiling faintly as he delicately swished around the wine in his glass
"So the legends are true. Even now she walks these lands still. But she is not our focus." Emberith said shocking almost everyone in the room "The one who leads. The only one of the second freelance team that has yet to take a single match. He, is our target." She added a hint of bloodlust tracing her tone now
"Careful lady Emberith, you wouldn't want to lose that temper before you have a chance to even fight him. That is, if he survives tomorrow." The lady Nimara added a subtle smirk on her lips as she sat back now with her own glass
Garrick sat beside Vladar and Nimara, scowling at all that was going on. Kai leaning against a wall near the fireplace as Emberith was near the balcony while Drahonst sat across from those of Castle Tsukuyomi. Emberith taking note of the crowds below and the guards standing watch.
"We will continue this discussion at a later time. Do not forget what our master has commanded of us." Emberith stated as she and both her teammates departed to return to their own room
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Meanwhile in the Royal palace, the private chambers of the the king:
The king himself sat at a stationary desk working on decrees and orders. His daughter off by the balcony with his most trusted guard.
"You've caused quite a stir with the insistence of this year's tournament, my daughter." The king said setting down his quill and turning to her
"We owe much for the peace and prosperity brought about by those of the Dawnsythe Clan. Without their aid back then we would no doubt be mired in full scale war." Midori said turning back to face her father's direction
"You know that is not what I refer to. First the attack on Serene, now the Holy Knight Corp is becoming more anxious with the recent break in of this very palace. Yet you also assure me it was nothing more than a couple spirited youths on some dare." He said able to see through his daughter's lie
"I am sure I do not know what you are referring to father." Midori said smiling a little herself
"These are dangerous times my dear. Even with the peace of the last seven years. I'm not convinced that the attack on such an isolated village was nothing to be concerned about. And now a Phoenix has arrived in our lands." He said
Midori's expression now shifting to one of discomfort. Indeed he was privy to many lost secrets and obscure knowledge and even lesser known truths of history preserved in her ancestor's writings. Much of which the princess herself had only gleaned when she was not supposed to.
"For over a thousand years we have built this kingdom. We of the Royal line have known of these great mages who have walked all the lands through the ages. Where our ancestors first settled and then here and beyond the fog and endless sea. Now another has arrived, the patterns are there in history." Her father said now his tone more serious
"So do you think it will come to war...?" Midori asked a little more cautious
Lodell even a little more tense himself as he stood at her side still. The king's expression saddening some now, for even he wasn't quite sure what was to happen.
"I pray to the gods it does not..." Her father said now defeatedly "But, we not abandon hope, never." He added his tone more confident once again as Midori smiled a little in relief
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