Dreiki shared what had happened to Rixam. He could see the way Tadios’s expression darkened. He noticed the way Tadios was shifting his jaw, tilting his head back and forth like he was trying to stretch his neck before a fight. When Dreiki finished, Tadios took a deep, loud breath, “Thanks for tellin’ me. I get why Rixam don’t wanna make no trouble over it. Stuff like this’d hurt more than just him if he tried to speak out on his own. Thanks for lettin’ me know, I won’t let them get off easy, you have my word on that.“

“So what now?” Luna asked, “They’re likely going to be fully healed by the time they get to us, so anyone left is gonna be a huge threat and we don’t have anymore love bombs.”

“We do what we can,” Dreiki said, “Start meditating and summon as many elementals as possible. Those who can’t summon should bolster the rest of the team with spells if they can. I say we separate their biggest threats as much as we can.”

“I’ve got one thing I wanna do, Argo.” Tadios said, “And that’s takin’ out everyone responsible for hurting Rixam. Deka included.”

“Are you sure you can take all three of them?”

Tadios shrugged, “Not really, but that’s what’s excitin’ to me. I’m a lot stronger when I get backed into a corner. Either way, even if I might lose, I intend to teach them a lesson they won’t forget.”

“But if you go down-”

“If I go down we’ve lost the game. It’s a game at the end of the day, y’know? As much as people care about winnin’ the point is to have fun. Can’t have fun if there’s a few people ruining the game for other people, so I plan on keepin’ them out of it while you guys enjoy the rest.” He clasped his hand over Dreiki’s head, “You made this game a lot more fun for everyone. Don’t worry about winning or losing anymore. You’ve done enough.”

Dreiki looked at the ground, “But I want to win. I want to prove we were useful.”

“You’ve already done that, Argo. Even the other captains have changed their mind about you and everyone else. When these games are over, we’re all gonna be having a feast as friends and family. There’s nothin’ more you can do for the future, so just enjoy the moment.”

Dreiki nodded, “I’ll do my best, thank you.”

“That aint to say I plan on losin’ either. Do your part, I’ll do mine.”

The full moon had risen in place of the sun by now. Dreiki hardly needed to use his night vision to see. There was a tension in the air, but there was also a sense of high morale. Everyone was prepared to fight to their last horn. There was still a chance of winning, and even if they lost they could go down swinging. When the snow started to fall, that is when Deka and his army arrived.

“Well, I must praise you all first.” Deka said, wearing a wicked grin, “You’ve certainly made this war game interesting at the last possible moment, but regardless of how much you struggle, it ends tonight.”

Tadios stepped forward, the air distorting around him from the heat he was giving off, “Well you’re right about one thing, it ends tonight. Your side did something I can’t forgive easily. Something that takes this whole thing beyond bein’ just a game.”

Deka raised his eyebrow, “Oh? And I could say the same to you. Ambushing and utilizing love potions to get dishonorable victories.”

“I’ve seen what your side has been doin’ to people. The conditions of the others you’ve sent to Shiira. I don’t think I’ve seen a bloodier war game in my life. So, I made sure that me and mine were protected from that. Because I don’t think you truly understand what lies beyond these woods at night.”

“I am familiar with Malaki just as everyone is, and I fail to see how that’s relevant. The strong will always survive, and this war game is a good way to show who is strong and who isn’t.”

“So if I rip your legs off after cutting your horns, would that make you weak?” Tadios unleashed his magic, a vengeful aura of heat now turning the snow to rain. With his meditation beforehand, Tadios was now on a completely different level than he had been before.

“I hardly know what you’re insinuating.” Deka said, sneering.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Lucky for you, the one you’ve wronged has decided not to make a big deal of it. Despite that, it don't sit right with me.”

“Oh just go out and say it,” Anitus said, “That noxa ran crying about his wings, didn’t he?”

Dreiki grit his teeth. This bastard wasn’t even guilty for what he did. The air was dangerous, a buzz overtook the crowd, Tadios clenched his hand, but remained silent.

“I’m right aren’t I? That’s what he gets for assaulting a xia on our side. Did you know about that?”

“What? Who? When?” Tadios said.

“Since you’re hiding identities it’s only fair for us to do the same. I wouldn’t wish to humiliate them publicly, but you’re protecting a predator in the end.”

“That ain’t possible.”

“Is it not? It’s a half devil noxa, who the hell could it have been?”

The crowd murmured in Anitus’s favor. Of course. Noxa were only ever on uncertain terms with other people. They were not to be trusted, even if they proved themselves over and over again. All it took was a single inclination that they might be bad in order for others to abandon them. He could feel people’s eyes burning a hole in his back.

What should have been admonishment for a noble going too far was now suddenly justified in the minds of the people at a claim they refused to substantiate. It didn’t matter if Anitus had proof or not. He made his claim with confidence. No matter what they said now Rixam was no longer a victim, but a monster who got what he deserved.

“Where is the scoundrel anyway? Getting his wings checked by Shiira I presume? Personally I find it appalling you would try to defend someone like that, but perhaps you didn’t know. In which case, continuing to defend them is rather reprehensible.”

Dreiki stopped Luna from speaking up. Anything they said now would only add more attention to them. They could not win this argument.

“You’re in charge of the Noxa are you not?” Anitus continued, “Why? Because you are the one who can keep them in check? Sounds like you’ve had too loose of a leash on them. They are outsiders. Hardly any more evolved from the monsters the Tibur are meant to destroy.”

Was this the work of the Osazi, or would this have happened regardless? This noble said everything with his chest. As if he genuinely believed he was correct. Dreiki knew was talking about what happened to Kaara, but why was she not speaking up about it? Was she in on it as well?

“Ah there you have it. Your side allowed a bunch of Noxa to run free in our game, thereby ruining the sanctity and honor of it. Even going so far as to debase and assault one of our members. If the victim was nobility, it’s only natural we would hide this matter. After all, weakness of mind, body, or soul in an heir would run the risk of war for a family. And the great shame of having a Noxa of all things…”

“I know you’re lying. I can’t prove it, but you’re telling lies. I know he wouldn’t ever do that.”

“Really? How?”

“Because I’ve fought him.”

The nobility laughed behind them. Deka had a grin like the Osazi, “You fought him? So you know they would never violate someone? Just by the way he throws a punch? Regardless, that is our side, and as the leader I find their actions justified. How about everyone else?”

Deka’s side shouted their agreement. Even the Tibur behind Dreiki seemed to agree with him.

“I know people like you.” Tadios said, stepping forward, “Making up stories to justify the harm you cause. Turning people into monsters so you can cut them down without a single care.” A flame ignited between his horns as the snow around his feat steamed and melted away into the mud, “Putting all of your sins on others who can’t defend themselves.” He stopped in front of Deka, staring him down. “Corvio, have everyone else do their fighting elsewhere. I don’t want nobody getting caught up in the crossfire.”

“Tadios, are you certain?”

“I’ll talk to the people involved after all this is done. Right now, I got a lotta rage I gotta get out, and if you don’t get out of here with everyone else someone is going to get hurt. Do you understand?”

“But-”

“Do it now!” A wave of heat pulsed through the air, bringing a temporary summer to the clearing as the falling snow turned to warm rain that drilled holes through the snow, “And that goes for everyone else too! Fight somewhere else. That means you too Kaara.”

Deka stood silent for a moment before raising his hand, “Do as he says. Vilka, they are under your command. Amaro and Anitus-”

“No.” Tadios said.

“Hm?”

“The three of you are gonna stay here. I don’t care if it’s one at a time, or all at once. I’m going to take all of you on.”

Dreiki wanted to speak up. He wanted to convince Tadios to allow the other captains to help him, but he knew what Tadios was feeling. How could he help Tadios without his magic, anyway? He left with the rest of the Tibur to fight in the forest nearby. He could still hear their conversation with his Ux.

Deka smirked, “Truly? You underestimate us.”

“This aint about winning anymore,” Tadios said, taking his stance, “It’s about knowing what you’re really made of.”

“Oh? So you’re taking a stance against the three of us?”

“I can’t beat your ass sitting down.”

“I see, then come and try it.”

Dreiki hated this. It was his fight to have, not Tadios’s. And yet the Tibur had taken it upon himself to protect them. To make sure they never felt like an outcast. Tadios was trying to be the person he never had for himself: A friend who trusted him.