Garden of Ligeria Dormitory:

  Despite the protests of many of the tournament officials and her own guild master, Sierra refused to be treated and insisted she was fine all the same. All she required and requested was the evening to rest. She took a gamble on healing herself mid match and still lost fairly.

  But her pride was still very much seething, brooding in an armchair by the fireplace. Both her teammates had remained on the couch near her, Aquaria able to understand her bruised ego most of all, Rosa feeling the pressure of aura and churning of emotions from Sierra.

  “I know what I smelt on him, and I didn’t like it, not one bit. That man is too dangerous, he burns bright but is blind to even his own ambitions.” Sierra commented once more, Rosa sighing a little.

  “I understand what you mean. When I first fought Kai Sennei, I felt only the opposite of him, a great fog. He held much ambition just the same yet did not express it, like he was chained by something, or something grand had passed him up.” Aquaria mused, Sierra grateful for her friend’s words.

  “I felt nothing but rage of a dormant beast in the boy I did battle against. His mind is a fractured mirror, and his spirit was not his own, like it was lost soul wandering and wailing. I felt only sorrow, sadness, loss. Yet hope persists in the belief of his friends.” Rosa explained, offering her own insights.

  “I felt nothing but wanting in the Count.” Sierra said, still very much not pleased with the day’s events.

  “Nothing about this tournament makes sense.” Aquira commented, her gaze shifting to outside. “Too many things are happening, and I don’t like where our opponents are guiding this tournament.” She added. “For even in the depths of the sea, there is darkness.” She recited to herself.

  Both of her teammates looking her way with an amount of confusion as to what she meant. But it would seemingly become apparent within the near future. That much was certain.

  ——————————————————

  Castle Tsukuyomi Dormitory:

  “I tell you! I would have had her had she not fought like a beast!” Garrick shouted.

  “And yet you were soundly beaten all the same.” Vladar commented back, his glare and smile still firmly on his fellow teammate who had been pacing infront of the fireplace since they had been returned to their dormitory.

  “She was given that damnable shield the human who leads her was using!” Garrick retorted. “Had I been given the Anathema blade-“ He started to say, only to be cut off by Nimara’s stare of pure anger at the mention of that weapon.

  “You think you know corruption so well that you can handle one of our master’s creations? Something so vile and antithetical to existence itself. To plunge your hand into the very darkness and hammer it into shape is not something even we Dark Elves dare dabble in.” Nimara stated flatly, her voice echoing and entrancing Garrick.

  The dog Demi-human could feel a high pitched whistle in his ears as he could not look away from the Lady Nimara’s gaze that bore into him. He could feel sweat beads forming and threatening to run down his forehead and the back of his neck.

  “Now now, Lady Nimara. We needn’t scare the young pup too much. He is young and ambitious with a taste of power. I’m sure you can remember what that was like.” Lord Vladar teased inturn.

  Nimara retracting the immense pressure of aura within the room, now pouring herself a glass of wine to calm herself. Garrick was still very disturbed by what she had imprinted on his mind, giving him just a taste of what Corruption truly was like.

  “We have tomorrow to get through, much depends on us, whether we continue on or not.” Vladar said, as he leaned back assuredly, a worry free smile on his face.

  ——————————————————

  Manaan Legio Dormitory:

  Count Drahonst was once more meditating in the darkness with Emberith. Both were sharing a vision their master was transmitting to the both of them. Kai was once more resting against a wall, his arms folded over his chest and resting his eyes.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  *Images flashed in the both of their minds, shards of the grand plan to come. The mark of the black dragon engulfing all in flames of shadow, the mark of the serpent lulling all into dreams of their own creation, the flame of the Phoenix flickering and fluttering out.*

  Emberith and Drahonst opened their eyes now. Whether they went on tomorrow or not, their place was set and the great dream would come to pass.

  “The time has come.” Drahonst whispered, with a faint smile gracing his lips.

  “Then tomorrow we will be sure to make sure those of Garden of Ligeria go down in a blaze of glory.” Lady Emberith said, a cruel smile of her own crossing her lips.

  “Careful now my lady, we don’t want to spoil the surprise too early.” The count jested.

  “You needn’t worry so much my Count. These dorms are well enchanted to prevent such prying ears, even with our extra security. They would not dare disrespect their own rules, they are too proud to do so.” Emberith said, her smirk turning more devilish.

  “Can we count on you to do your part, Kai Sennei?” Drahonst asked, leaning to the side some now, being open with him and able to sense his inner turmoil and confliction.

  “I know my place, I sworn my fealty and service to that of Manaan Legio, and I will carry out the wishes of the guild as they intend to and protect it with my life.” Kai explained, his eyes narrowed and voice lowered. But all the same he met Drahonst’s eyes.

  “Then we are all in agreement.” Emberith smiled, looking at Kai as well.

  ——————————————————

  Cole’s team Dormitory:

  Cole and Tigress were both out on the balcony once more. Both a short but respectful distance from each other. Neither were wearing their weapons. Both looking down at the crowds of people enjoying the evening and the sea of lights, so familiar yet foreign. Aaron taking this time to meditate and try to find more clarity in his mind.

  “So what is it you wished to discuss my lord?” Tigress asked gently, turning her attention to him her eyes curious.

  “I wanted to discuss the matter of you and I. To what extent we are entangled?” Cole asked carefully, as he looked her way as well.

  “You have sworn yourself to me, and I have my pledged myself to you either. I grateful for the return of my shield. But this does not put you in my good graces, you still posses what is also mine.” She explained sternly, making him momentarily wince. “But I will not stop you from pursuing your own life, we have made so such promises to one another, so I will not stop you from chasing who you desire.” She added, speaking softer this time.

  Cole dropped his head in defeat as she had him figured out from the start. Yet harbored no ill will towards him. He was still only he who was dragging his feet on this matter.

  “Then I would ask you to allow me to be as I may. If you desire a fight I will entertain you, but not around her, not around what I build for myself. I will not let harm come to those I care for.” He declared, finally swallowing his pride and making intentions clear.

  “Very well then..” Tigress said softly, Cole meeting her eyes with concern. “If this is what you desire, then I will not interfere in your affairs and keep my distance, and respect her wishes. Whatever they may be.” She explained agreeing to his terms “But remember, you still owe me..” she added ominously.

  “You don’t want me owing you.” Cole said, mildy serious though Tigress couldn’t help but chuckle at this as she turned and left him to be while she would rest for the evening.

  *The sound of crashing ocean waves fade into his ear, and he’s back there again. The day at the beach, the flashes of memories like clips or pictures, his friends running across the shoreline, laughing at something unimportant, the water cold and splashing against their ankles and the sun beating down on the barren stretch of beach.

  Only for everything to fade to dark and the sun to turn and be replaced in the sky by the stars and moon. The heat now coming from a bonfire of driftwood, they huddled close together to keep warm. It was a good day…*

  As Cole came back to his senses, his hands carefully gripping the stone railing of the balcony. His gaze still focused on the celebration going on down below. He could only hope Juni was doing well and was safe…

  ——————————————————

  Embers & Cream Saloon:

  Juni had come here on the insistence of her mother. Joining her brother and friend’s. Her father and both Iris and Faye were keeping watch from a distance and avoiding the influx of guards.

  Akina had been here since the tournament’s start while others managed the stores across the land.

  Both the teams of Terra Spire and Juno Tower had also come here and hung out for the extent of the tournament. It was something of a tradition for the losing guilds to come here and watch the rest of the tournament. It was the sense of camaraderie between the guilds and its participants that always seemed to draw them here no matter what. At least those of that had a heart of true intentions and genuine friends.

  This particular location was even more of a step back in time. It felt like a first class motel from the time of the first settlers. The decor of the first floor was still all wood, polished bronze and gold, and glass. Two small but sizable chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the bar itself having repurposed into the actual ice cream bar and serving station itself.

  The mirror wall having replaced bottles and drinking glasses with specialty glasses for floats and shakes, as well being a time capsule of knickknack’s, photos of patrons and times long past. Each saloon was like that, they each had their own unique charm and stories and memories that meant something special to someone at some point, even if it only hangs on a wall now.

  It was these stories and moments Akina loved to capture and immortalize them.

  Young lovers making their confession, families celebrating outings, teams celebrating a victory or loss, friends just out for the day.

  All these things were what kept people coming back for years.

  “Cole’s team is doing well. That’s what matters.” Xylia said finally, snapping Juni out of her daze of thoughts that circled around in her mind.

  She looked to her mother and offered a soft smile. Ruffling her brother’s hair some as well as he shot w playful scowl at her. Taiga and Eugene chuckling at this interaction, but both still offered their own looks of support mixed with concern for Juni.

  “I’m alright, I’m alright. I promise, there’s always next year.” She said while taking a scoop from her bowl of ice cream, instantly regretting the cold.

  “Your father means well too. You know that, he just… has different ways to living.” Xylia said quietly as well, the mood immediately shifting.

  “I understand why he does what he does.” Juni assured her, meeting Xylia’s concerned gaze. “And I’ve made my choice too, I hope you can understand that.” She added, her tone more soft but with a trace of questioning.

  Xylia could see it in Juni’s eyes. She had made up her own mind and set herself to what is it she wanted in life. Raiden the most confused about everything was going on as he was still too young to fully understand what they were referring to.

  “I’m proud of the woman you’ve become. I hope you two will be happy, and I hope you find something that is stable in work but gives you enough excitement that you want.” Xylia answered inturn, smiling still.

  Raiden still confused made both Taiga and Eugene laugh. Akina now joining them, on a short break as one of her other employees was manning behind the counter for now. Having opted for a chocolate shake herself and taking a seat beside Eugene, this making Taiga roll her eyes.

  “Well if adventuring doesn’t and guild life doesn’t work, you know can always pop into one of my shops at any time.” Akina offered as well.

  Juni offered a smile her way as well as a thank you, just grateful for having everyone be accepting and to have a