Three weeks later...
The capital of Oronia was truly a spectacular sight to behold. Practically every species all had built this beautiful sprawling metropolis, one's eyes were not able to move fast enough to take it all in. But if one looked close enough they could see the architecture of their ancestors imprinted on these buildings. Places of knowledge and prayer were more Elven, places of law and order as well Guild related buildings were the most human by design, while shops of weapons and armor were more Dwarven. The sheer magnificence and overwhelming concentration of Aura from so many different and unique mages. It was a chaotic harmonic sea of emotions. Everyone off to somewhere else, somewhere bigger and better, deals being struck on the hour in all corners of the city.
But everyone was also piling into the betting halls. Putting their hard earned money down for a good time. Other tournament goers were farming and milking the entire process, playing the numbers to their advantage, betting on mages and teams that they knew the statuses of. All to make even more money, high risk high reward.
The Royal palace itself the center and crown jewel of the capital. Its large emerald dome with a statue of the first King set atop the dome. The rest of palace itself an ornate structure of green domed towers and a large pearl white stone wall encircling the palace grounds.
Facing to the south was the massive stadium, every year it was packed to the brim with spectators. The tournaments were meant to celebrate the unity and spirit of competition between guilds, a means of releasing tension between rivaling guild members or teams for grudges held while out questing and running into one another. But this year was shaping up to be one of the most exciting, for the first time in a century a freelance team had petitioned to enter, even permitted to enter by the grace of the king for the spirit of good fortune and entertainment and at the behest of his daughter. The other talk of the tournament was the other rather odd and bizarre team of the Dawnsythe Clan. All three just barely of the age of seventeen. But all also students of the Royal academy to some degree, though it was hard to say truly.
On the far side of the arena was where all the teams were to gather and be assigned their team dormitory for the duration of the tournament, but free to explore the capital between matches at their own discretion. But no fighting between teams or team members was allowed outside of the arena and would result in expulsion of those involved.
Juni looked around truly stunned and amazed by what she saw. Truly perplexed by the intense and brooding atmosphere of those projecting their aura unintentionally or deliberately, it was hard to discern. Taiga herself a little nervous herself, she wouldn't lie, this was a lot to take in. But as she looked up at her brother he smiled like he always did making her feel a little more at ease.
Juni recognized many faces in the crowd of competition. 'The Wraith' one of Oronia's ten swordmasters, the Shadowgaurd, the Salamander, Count Drahonst, Lord Vladar, Aquaria Delgado, Welfen Pierce. Of course everyone had their eyes on Cole's team as well as her own.
The loud clank of a sword hitting the stone slab beneath them echoed loud getting everyone's attention. The man standing before them was a tall man in ornate armor, taller than any normal man, large and muscular with a long flowing hair and beard. Seemingly enveloped in a glowing bright light of commanding aura. His expression and facial structure that akin to a lion. Juni knew him well. But he did not acknowledge her presence, yet the entire room. He was here as a judge not an acquaintance.
"This tournament is no different than any
that has come before it. Do not let rumor and speculation cloud your judgment. You are to celebrate the occasion of unity between our nation. For centuries, it has stood as a testament to the unity and strength through the bloodshed of our forbearer's and ancestors." The Lion explained, his voice deep and bellowing, showing a true sense of demand with his words that everyone could only heed "I see no reason that should change now." He added speaking a little more calmly now as all were perplexed but not without some level of knowing what he meant
Everyone seemingly understood, it was that sense of connection even between such great distances and having such different experiences and ideologies from being so separated and with such diverse dungeons beneath each guild, each became more suited to a particular set type of fighting or combat style. Now here they were, far from their respective homes. To make their guild proud or try again next year. Everyone here for their own reason. Juni certainly was, and she knew Cole was too. Now she couldn't help but wonder what the other's reasoning was for being here as well...
Cole's firm gaze from across the room seemed to ease her. As if he was telling all would be told in time. To be patient for what was to come. She didn't like it, but she was on this path now.
"The First match will be tomorrow, when the sun is highest. For now take your time to relax and enjoy the capital. You won't get much time once the matches are underway, as of this moment the Oronia Magic Tournament has begun." The Lion finished as he now left
Many of the teams now breaking off and going towards the barracks to rest. Some were headed out to explore the city. Juni Eugene and Taiga slowly walking towards Cole's team. Cole himself the leader with Tigress and Aaron as his teammates. She was not happy about this either, but they both the reasons why Faye and Iris were not with him.
Another of the rules that kept the tournament's fair and balanced was an age restriction. Only those of the age of seventeen could qualify to compete, while those over a century could not compete. Juni knew well enough that the tournament officiates would spot their true age immediately. She didn't mind Aaron being here, but she still didn't like Tigress, not one bit.
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"I'm sorry about these circumstances." Cole said as he approached his tone awkward
"Aaron will be alright. And if he has to fight me or Eugene, then we'll give a good walloping." Taiga said snarkly but it made both Aaron and Eugene chuckle
"Thank you Cole." Juni said softly now as she looked his way
"You don't have to thank me for anything." Cole assured her as the air soon grew more awkward
"Come my Lord, let's go get an ale and some stew. Invite your little girlfriend and her friends out for dinner." Tigress teased elbowing making him facepalm and Juni blush
"Soooo.. what's Tigress?" Taiga asked finally making Cole sigh
"It's, complicated.. I am by her clan's rights, their leader." Cole said being honest
"That is until I kill you of course, my lord." Tigress teased only infuriating Juni more "Oh calm down, I'm only being dramatic. I simply desire what's mine, and whether that comes through surrender or death. We'll just have to see what comes first." She assured Juni, though this did little to persuade her to trust the Demi-human
Tigress herself merely chuckle as she approached her now.
"You sure you know what you're getting yourself into girl?" Tigress asked her now, the tension between the two groups now shifting
Juni continued to stare down Tigress, her stern green eyes meeting and clashing against those wild yellow cat eyes.
"I can handle myself. No matter what life has to dish out, I can take whatever the hell you all seem so adamant about guarding." Juni said inturn, an edge in her tone now making Tigress quirk an eyebrow
"Oh? Bold are we?" Tigress said leaning forward a little now, just out of the corner of her eye she could spot Cole and the other's were gently and silently moving closer
Juni herself still unable to stand the stench of her aura. But she refused to move from where she stood.
"Hm. You seem to have that same level of stubbornness. It might even be greater than his. You will get yourself killed." Tigress warned her now, though Juni refused to fold
Cole now looking at her with a hint of caution are well as confusion, having spotted the subtle change in her tone. She sounded more concerned for Juni's safety. Maybe she had really started to change, but he could feel something, something else. Her aura was less intense and more protective it seemed now.
"I'll buy us drinks, my treat. I'll even explain some more as to why I'm here. You have my word." Cole said now as Juni looked his way a little more concerned but her desire to know was greater
Soon the six party members found themselves in a tucked away tavern along the street, plenty of patrons all eating drinking and having a good time. Faye and Iris slipping and joining as they accepted drinks as they let their hoods down. The people were regulars, getting off of a hard day's work, talking smack then erupting in laughter, celebrating another day's work done.
All eight had tankards of ale and casually sipping on them.
"So are you really going to tell me what's going on? Or spin some tale?" Juni asked now
Cole looking her way now with an expression of seriousness as he set down his drink.
"Sometimes a story and prophecy are one and the same. But who's to say what's real and what's been written of what's been foretold. We all have a part to play, a role in a story." Cole explained to her now
"What does any of that even mean?" Juni asked more sternly now
"It is powers and people who are far older and have had a hand in the very early days of development. The very foundations of everything you know. Fighting back against a form of corruption that is so great, so vast. We are akin to holding a lantern against the void. What form it takes now is forever elusive, slithering along as it tightly coils all in its grasp that can tip the scales in his favor." Cole further tried to explain
Juni, Eugene and Taiga's all could feel a chill run down their spines. Somehow, in the back of their mind, they all knew that this wasn't right, any of it.
"What, is this Cole?!" Juni asked quietly as possible leaning in closer now
Eugene truly unable to comprehend this and not able to believe it, Taiga couldn't believe it either. But, just perhaps... that was why Aaron had amnesia..
"No! This is ludicrous. Fairy tales. Stories, Cole! This is not reality. This isn't real." Eugene spoke up almost able to feel Taiga's thoughts as she jumped a little as he commanding voice
"If only it were that simple. I have seen time and time again prophecy be taken seriously, or outright dismissed. Only for omens to come to pass. It is not some process you stop to understand, but a mystery you learn to move with the flow of." Faye further explained to the young mages
"An old Shaman once predicted the end to the Samurai of old, foretelling their doom on the eve of a red moon. For a long time it drove them away from those that sought a better life, the Shinobi. The Samurai would not give up on this prophecy nor their old ways. The prophecy foretelling of one in red who lead them to salvation from the one who would lead them to damnation." Iris further explained "From a certain point of view, it came to pass." She further noted
"But what does that mean? Do we just sit back and allow this evil to win?" Juni asked truly unsure of where things stood
"Destiny is often a cruel mistress. All we can do is keep ourselves in the here and now, temper our ambitions for the future, find balance. Where anger may be the first response, use it to be productive and ask if it truly is worth it? You have a long lifetime to reflect on your own stupidity, I know I will." Cole finally said
His words still made no sense, and there was that phrase again. Taiga still thoroughly annoyed by all of this nonsense, for it was not a lack of intelligence but just a lack of understanding in the things that Cole and his party had clearly seen and experienced. Eugene truly thinking this was absolutely ridiculous as he was one of sound mind and grounded logic, despite his interactions with Akina herself.
As for Juni, she knew deep down what Cole meant, but she didn't want to admit it, she'd rather lie to herself about it. Something about Cole's presence merely agitated her yet made feel so at peace. She could not understand any of this.
"We have to make a choice eventually, a choice between what is right and what is easy. What will you do when you feel destiny breath down the back of your neck? Will you react in time, will you stand by and let it pass, will your foolishness bring more destruction? Or will you stand your ground and give everything even if it means you might not walk away. It's up you, just have to make a decision and not look back." Cole finished at last "I'm going to wish you all the best of luck. Come morning, we will officially be competing, and I will expect any of you to deliver nothing but your best against Tigress, Aaron or myself." He added as well as he and his party took their leave, Aaron staying with Taiga and Eugene a little longer
All sat in silence and with their own thoughts. Juni unable to sit as she chased after Cole and his party. Faye and Iris going on ahead and leaving Cole to be with her on his own. Sighing gently as he knew this was only more complicated now.
"Juni..." Cole whispered turning around to face her
"I don't care. I'm just as complicated, secrets of my own I can't exactly share." Juni countered now moving closer towards him
"I'm gonna have to leave soon." He pleaded with her
"None of that matters now." She said moving closer "Just stay with me, let me believe this for a little bit." She added closing the distance now
"I can't promise you a tomorrow, but for tonight I am here." He said softly now wrapping his arms around her now
"Then stay with me while you can. Damn whatever shall come tomorrow." Juni said softly holding onto him as well
"Be careful what you wish for." Cole whispered
"Cole, just shut up." Juni whispered kissing him now
Cole could feel destiny changing into something different now. But for now he would have this, kissing Juni back as he held her closer. Allowing this to pass, allowing himself to believe it as well...
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