Royal Arena Infirmary:

  Vespera sat at Seryn’s bed side, hands clasped together a worried expression and nervous bounce of her leg said enough for her state of worry for her teammate.

  Lisa sighed gently and pulled a seat beside Vespera and rested a bandaged arm of her own on the red haired swordswoman.

  “Vespera, calm down. I was injured too because I got reckless. She knew what she was doing, so don’t blame yourself. What’s done is done, we’re out of the tournament matter of fact.” Lisa explained.

  Vespera looking her way annoyed now clearly not seeing the silver lining in her words.

  “What I mean is, she’s safe and alive, I’m alive too, that’s what matters. We’re not gonna leave a friend behind.” She assured her.

  Vespera sighed herself in some annoyance still. Her partner’s were rather dense when it came to expressing themselves, but they put thought into what they meant and that was more than most put in.

  “Mmmm, she’s got a point ya know.” Seryn mumbled, stirring from her rest.

  “Gods you’re a damn fool. Nearly burnt yourself to a crisp.” Vespera said worriedly.

  Instantly beside her again, a fresh damp towel in hand and placing in on her forehead. Checking over her bandaged arms and chest, her eyes scanning and finding nothing out of order. For as much as it annoyed her partners, it was her job to worry.

  “Still faster than both of you.” Seryn teased, Vespera merely glaring at her making both other women chuckle.

  “What am I going to do with the you two?” Vespera sighed once more, both eyeing her as she merely smiled inturn as well seemingly being at ease now.

  For now all they could do was rest and recuperate, then return to their guild and hopefully try again when it came around.

  ————————————

  Garden of Ligeria Dormitory:

  The day was another victory, they were still in first place. Yet Aquaria’s demeanor said much to her teammates. She was not one to be satisfied when something is sanctioned, she liked getting a little dirt under her fingernails.

  The manner in which she paced along the balcony made them both uncomfortable able to feel her aura churning and crashing against the rest of the dormitory and making both Sierra and Rosa mildly unnerved.

  “For Juno’s sake, will you please settle!” Sierra finally snapped.

  Rosa cringing at this not wanting to be the one to say something as this stopped Aquaria now as she at last took a seat with her teammates.

  “I apologize for my behavior, I’m easily put on edge, and I like nothing of what I have seen. I do not like the Lord Vladar, nor do I like the Lady Emberith.” Aquaria stated, her aura having at last seeming to calm.

  “The number of guards on duty within the corridors has increased, they’re pulling trainees that have not yet even completed their trials.” Rosa commented, as she understood comrade’s worries.

  “I know my limits, my friends. I will not lose myself to desire. But I will not let go of the ones who have earned my attention, they both have spurned an itch that I cannot ignore.” Aquaria said, being honest with herself and trying to regain her composure.

  “We can’t afford to lose our nerve now, not when we are so close to the end of the tournament. We go all the way or go out with our heads held high and in a blaze of glory.” Sierra said matter of factly.

  ————————————

  Cole’s team dormitory:

  Aaron sat on the floor by himself, meditating and watching the fireplace. Cole was beside himself once more out on the balcony, he’d been beating himself up since the match ended.

  Tigress had remained silent for knowing nothing she could say in the moment would only anger him, but she couldn’t sit here all night as she joined him now.

  “You gave your all in this arena, you have shown growth as a warrior.” She said, as she leaned forward beside him now.

  Cole merely snorted and rolled his eyes as he looked away.

  “You want the things you can’t have or that are fleeting. I’m not going to stop you from chasing what you want, just leave you with a warning..” she said,more serious yet caring.

  Cole looking her way in confusion. There it was again, a slight hint of change in her, she would warn him with such care, he could see a conflict playing behind her eyes, something she desired but could not reconcile, what it was he couldn’t understand

  “Be careful what you wish for, you never know what you’ll have to leave behind. Whether you like it or not.” She said now snapping him out of his thoughts “It seems our friend from Eden has found her way to these shores after all as well.” She added softly before leaving the balcony.

  Cole let out a groan of frustration at this news. He’d all but forgotten about the assassin who had come after him, but even he knew she wasn’t stupid enough to make a play here and now. Not with this many guards present and on patrol or guard duty. But that didn’t mean her patience would last forever, she could always find a way around where she wouldn’t be seen.

  Aaron was standing beside Cole now, his arms folded against his chest as he looked down at the city alive with celebration.

  “There’s a lot more guards.” Aaron commented

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  “That all that’s on your mind?“ Cole asked sarcastically.

  Aaron looked his way with an expression of frustration now.

  “You really are an idiot.” Aaron said sternly, snapping Cole out of his of thoughts. “Do what you think is right, you still have people that care, that will never change.” He added, resting a fist against Cole shoulder.

  “And where is this coming from?” Cole asked, still mildly sarcastic.

  “I may not remember everything, but you’re more clueless than I am.” Aaron said, shaking his head a little before leaving him to be.

  Cole looked down again and sighed to himself. He was the only one making this complicated, what was done was done. He was still here for his own reasons, that much had not changed, everything was telling him to not continue on this different course of his journey. Yet curiosity could not be ignored and he wanted to believe that even he was allowed to be happy, even if only for a short time.

  His gaze now turned to the moon above.

  ‘Gods I’m a fool..’ he thought to himself, only the wind blowing and the party crowd below was his response.

  ————————————

  At the outskirts of the strip of restaurants and pubs, one little bar was moderately alive with a crowd, yet Juni and her teammates were at a table of their own. Both siblings had eaten, yet Juni hadn’t so much as touched her drink.

  “You gave your all. We all knew we weren’t going to get far. We’re both still out of practice and you lack experience most of all. The fact we made it this far is an achievement on its own.” Eugene said, pushing her drink forward some.

  Juni carefully took it in hand gently swirled its contents around and at last took a slow swig. Collecting her thoughts as she set her tankard down.

  “My father was a harsher critic before I was accepted into the academy. I learn a hell of lot from losing than I do from winning, I can take this like a champ and have no complaints.” Juni said sincerely, yet both Eugene and Taiga were not impressed by this.

  “Juni, you and I both know. That, that is bullshit.” Taiga said flatly, causing her brother to cringe at her cut and dry words.

  “On that, we agree.” Iris said, making all three teens jump as they looked up at her.

  Rin was with her taking a seat at the table along with Cole’s other party member, Faye. A quick scan of the place by Juni and she couldn’t spot her mother or little brother.

  “You’re walking a dangerous road.” Rin warned her, his gaze focused on her.

  “And you haven’t made a few mistakes before you met mom and found me?” Juni fired back, the tension immediately shifting at the table.

  “What I did cannot be excused. But you still have a choice to walk away from this. Return to the mountains with your mother and friends until the time to return to the academy has come.” Rin said, his tone remaining unnervingly calm.

  “So that’s it? Retreat and wait it out?” Juni asked defiantly.

  “I do not expect you to understand the ways of my people.” Rin said back, Juni going wide eyed at what he was implying.

  “You think you understand what Cole and us are up against, but you haven’t the slightest clue.” Iris said, throwing her two cents in.

  “You don’t know me, you don’t know what I’ve been through.” Juni snapped back.

  “Oh I can see it your eyes. If those were your eyes to begin with.” Iris retorted, Juni feeling a searing anger and sense of panic rush through her veins.

  Taiga and Eugene the most confused, but Faye closed her eyes wincing at this, Rin remained silent as the tension was on the verge of boiling over now.

  “Did he implant them himself? Because I know that shade of green, it was those very eyes that looked at me when I was cut down.” Iris further explained.

  “You have no idea what he’s like! Don’t speak of him like you know him! What he’s capable of crafting!” Juni countered, her heart racing even faster not having told any of them this.

  “I know exactly what he’s capable of.” Rin said flatly, Juni’s gaze snapping to him now. “I’ve suspected, I just never said anything because I was trying to forget about that place myself, and it is not my place to make you dig up what you have laid to rest. But it seems I’ve misjudged you, you’ve only buried this and now it’s haunting you.” He added

  “You can keep walking into the fires or live a free and full life, it’s your choice.” Faye added, offering her own opinion on the matter.

  Both Taiga and Eugene were still just as lost in what was being discussed, though Eugene was able to pick up a little bit as he had a feeling it had to do with Akira herself. He looked to her now with a sense of curiosity, yet he could only see fury in her eyes as she stormed out now.

  “You always this harsh with your kids?” Taiga asked snarkily.

  “Juni will decide her own destiny, my son has made his choice in wanting to be of my clan. I cannot alter what they will do anymore than I can stop the hands of time. My only concern is keeping my clan and family safe.” He said as well, both teenagers still not able to understand why he was so cold.

  Juni was by herself and away from the crowds, setting beside a fountain, she could still spot a few guards standing patrol. But they seem to pay her no mind, then she could instantly feel another’s presence, their warm aura almost like an oven.

  “Akina, is it?” Juni asked, looking her way.

  The red haired mage looked mildly annoyed at the young teenager, but her silence was enough of answer. How she hid herself so well was truly a craft of magic not seen before. Something everyone took for granted.

  “You really are an idiot, but I’m finding myself attracted to one myself.” Akina explained, taking a seat beside her “Those that are chosen to be a Phoenix are often foolish ourselves, and many have been chosen, all of us have failed. Once it’s started it doesn’t stop or pause until they come full circle, in more ways than one, many have not. Even I have failed.” She further said to Juni telling her many truths.

  Juni could look on her in pure disbelief that she was telling such information so readily. But Akina didn’t seem to mind or care, her gaze fixed on the moon, yet still watching Juni out of the corner of her eye.

  “Oh yes, I could sense it about you the first day you came to the capital, and when Eugene and Taiga brought you around, I knew it without a shadow a doubt. Yet you never struck me as a serving type, and it’s not my place to interfere in the cycle of what is happening. My job now is to watch over this land and find something that helps keep me grounded, and I like seeing kids smile so what better way to provide than ice cream.” Akina explained further.

  Juni only able to stare in pure disbelief that this woman had her figured out from the start, and still had trouble wrapping her head around much of this information.

  “But what does all this even mean? For me? For Cole?” Juni asked, wanting answers her gaze almost outright demanding them.

  “For him? It’s no journey to be carrying a family on, not when his work is not yet complete. Could you really imagine running and hiding with a child? What if he fails his final task and can’t stop the basilisk? What if he loses you or what you both have found? Are you prepared for that? Or are you just going to sit and wait and pray he comes back someday?” Akina explained, making Juni question such things and momentarily overwhelming her.

  “What about you and Eugene?” Juni asked inturn now, her focus momentarily coming back to her as she looked at Akina again.

  “I don’t know…” Akina said softly, Juni’s eyes going wide. “But what I do know is I will make what time he does have with me is well spent, and whatever may happen in between we’ll make it work.“ she added, speaking honestly as she still keep her gaze firmly fixed on the night sky.

  “I have to get back to my family.” Juni finally said, after a long silence passed between the two of them.

  “Do what you need to do.” Akina said simply, as Juni rose and headed for the inn that her mother and brother were staying at.

  ————————————

  Castle Tsukuyomi Dormitory:

  Garrick had been pacing since they were escorted back to their dormitory. Nimara having adopted a set of loose robes, while Vladar was in less formal dress now. His vest and tie off even leaving his shirt unbuttoned, watching the moon and listening to the crackling of the fire. Nimara enjoying a glass of wine herself.

  “Well?! What are we to do?!” Garrick snapped.

  “Down boy.” Nimara teased, earning a snarl from him.

  “How can we keep this up with everyone in the kingdom buckling down security measures so tightly?” Garrick asked, irritated by the lack of a plan or his involvement in it.

  “All in good time, Garrick.” Vladar replied, momentarily shocking the wolf Demi-human. “Everything is proceeding smoothly, and our true master sends his regards.” He said, holding his hand now as a black snake coiled around his wrist and hand.

  Nimara was surprised by this visitor, Garrick was even more so in shock.

  “He gives us instruction, keep those that would defy us busy when the time comes. The stranger and his team will be dealt with by the master himself. That, is our place. Remember that Garrick.” Vladar said, his tone controlled and unnerving.

  “But that tells us nothing of what is to be done, what our objective is. Not a damn thing!” Garrick argued.

  “Patience, it always was your weakest trait. At least from what I have observed of you.” Nimara smiled, this making Garrick storm off to get some sleep now.

  “All in good time, all in good time.” Vladar said to himself, chuckling a little as well.

  ————————————

  Manaan Legio Dormitory:

  Emberith sat before the fireplace of her team’s dormitory, heating her sword within the fire. Carefully working the blade in and out of the flames. Kai leant against a wall while Drahonst meditated in the darkness.

  Pulling the blade from the fire she examined it closely. It was still imperfect, temperamental and prone to showing its stress if she did not maintain a steady control. Then again she was never privy to proper forging techniques nor patient enough to be a student.

  Drahonst’s eyes opened at last. A smile gracing his lips as he rose flawlessly from where he had been seated.

  “Our master has given us instructions to proceed on as planned. When the time comes we will play our part, just as the others will.” Drahonst said, his voice calm and his words were riddles.

  “What is our purpose then?” Emberith asked sternly, making Drahonst chuckle some.

  “All will become apparent in good time, for everyone has their uses, even those of lesser standing. But all the same, we must remain vigilant for the sign of the violet moon. Our job is to enthrall the masses, stir them up, make them scared. But there are shrouds of fog and icy mist that obfuscates my sight, from where I cannot say.” Drahonst explained further, telling of his vision he’d been granted.

  For all his efforts to discern what was to come, Drahonst could catch only glimpses of the here and now based on all the varying mages so collectively packed into the city. He could guess what their intentions and motives were, but in the chaotic sea of aura that was the masses it was difficult to find the path.

  “Then, we do as we’re told.” Kai said, surprising them both and earning a wry smile from each.