The following morning after a day of hanging out, Neath and Galivinth await Galelith's arrival outside in front of the apartment building. Within just a little over five minutes, their ride arrives. However, it's not the steam blowing bus they've rode on since the start of this arrangement that shows up this time. It's that ebony old timely car his father showed up with the first time they met, which lands from a descending flight. And without delay, the two adolescents move to enter the backseat of the vehicle.

"Good morning, you two." Galelith greets before advancing the car forward to take his usual method of exiting the neighborhood.

"Morning." Naeth responds.

"Morning, Dad. What happened to the bus?" Galivinth greets in turn before following up with a question.

"Nothing in particular. It was a prototype side project for something far more ambitious, is all. I learned what I needed to from it." Galelith answers.

"Oh. You're making a better bus?"

"No. A flying city, actually." Galelith corrects.

"A flying city?" Galivinth repeats, brows furrowing with skepticism.

"Yes."

"A city.... That flies?"

"That's definitely what I'm aiming to build." Galelith stoically responds.

"How?" Galivinth questions with doubt utterly disrupting any notion that doing such a thing will ever be possible.

"With science and my vast knowledge of engineering. The foundation is dated, but the bus was my reassurance that it can indeed be done very effectively." Galelith explains.

"Why are you building something like that?" Galivinth prods further.

"It's a task I was assigned to follow through with. It was a proposal I made years ago in hopes of uprooting from the land we occupy despite US and Canadian governments' protest. For self-sustainability, we couldn't oblige them initially. But maybe in the next ten or so years, we can entertain the request without issue. But regardless, it's not ultimately up to me. It may just end up serving as an additional asset rather than a place to migrate to." Galelith answers honestly.

"Oh. I see... sounds complicated under the surface."

"It all comes down to a matter of perspective, but I understand where you're coming from." With that response from Galelith, silence overtakes the atmosphere. Just until Neath lightly nudges Galivinth with an elbow, and gestures toward Galelith with a tilt of his head. Assuming his relative would catch the hint.

"Oh! Right, right. Uhh, dad?" Galivinth calls out.

"Yes, Galivinth?"

"I.... There's this thing... There's something I need to tell you." The teen struggles expressing his thoughts and ends up stalling a bit.

"I'm listening intently as I possibly can, son. Tell me whatever is on your mind."

"...You might go to jail if I lose a game of Conquest Bout against the King." Galivinth finally gets those words out, wearing guilt upon his features as he does.

"I'm aware of that stipulation in your wager with the king."

"You are?" Galivinth questions while arching a brow.

"Yes, I am. He told me about it directly. A... rather unfortunate predicament, yet also an amusing one." The elder responds, grinning a tad.

"Amusing? Dad, you could end up in a cell because of me! I didn't want to take the wager, but he said... that he'd execute you if I didn't..."

"Then I'm glad that you agreed to the wager. Truth be told, I was sure you wouldn't put my life on the line if you didn't have any other choice."

"You're taking this way too casually... You can tell me if you're angry. It'd be totally understandable if you're upset." Galivinth assures.

"But I'm not. Maybe a bit uneasy about it, but I'd only be lying to myself if I said this wasn't exclusively my fault. I have been testing my luck by frequently bringing you back with me. There's still a potential positive side to this whole ordeal, though. You could gain full citizenship, removing the burden of worrying any further." Galelith explains optimistically.

"...I... just have to win..."

"Yes. You have to win in order to achieve the far more favorable outcome."

"Yeah... easy-peasy, I guess." Galivinth murmurs as he leans back into his seat and tilts his head far back.

"By the way, why do you guys have a kid for a King?"

"It is quite unusual, but he's the only heir to royal bloodline among us. His predecessor, who happened to join us on the trip, died in the crash, thus he's entitled to the position of power. He's undoubtedly young, but he's been given the best education possible, along with the advisory of the science and magic council."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Without further exchange of dialogue, Galivinth spends the rest of the trip submerging himself with his own thoughts. Thinking of just how different cryoneans' social norms were a contrast to what he was used to. To him, they seemed mentally potent in every sense of the concept. They were quite admirable as a race and society.

When they arrive at their destination, the three go on about their routine. Galelith heads to his lab, while Naeth and Galivinth make their way to the gymnasium to train with their teammates. It's there Neath announces that they'll be working on strategies as a team and coordinated maneuvers.

For the next more or less two hours, the group undergoes drills of Naeth and Qoreman's design that assesses everyone's strengths, weaknesses, adequateness, and shortcomings. Though it was no real surprise to anyone, Galivinth was revealed to be the weakest link in every category and exercise. Nothing Naeth was honestly bothered by, though. They were here to train and improve, after all.

While the group takes a rest before continuing further, Naeth approaches Galivinth, who happens to be sitting on the grass and catching his breath.

"Hey, I'll let you rest for half an hour. Why don't you take a walk and go see your dad?" He offers with the intent of distracting his relative from possibly dwelling on demoralizing thoughts.

"I'm fine..." Galivinth responds before pausing to huff out a couple of breaths of air.

"I'm fine. I swear." He assures again.

"I know, but we're still taking a break. Besides, I don't think you can keep going when you're drawing heavy breaths like that. You should consider my suggestion and refresh yourself for when we begin again. There's still a bit more to do today." Naeth insists, turning to leave the other be and head toward the others nearby.

It's a proposal Galivinth sees no true reason not to entertain. Thus, after a moment of thinking on it, he rises up from where he's sitting and heads back inside the building, all the way back near the entrance. From there, he does his best to recall the path he and his father took the last time he was taken to the lab. Surely enough, his memory serves him well and arrives at the entree door in under two minutes.

"Dad?" Galivinth calls out as he pushes the door ajar and peeks his head inside. Who he finds inside, curiously looking back at him, is not Galelith, but instead Tonithy by his lonesome.

"Ah, Galelith's son! He's away for the time being, likely tending to matters in relation to the council." The older Cryonean informs.

"Oh, I see. Then--"

"But! You should step inside, anyway. I'd like pick your atoms a bit." Tonithy chimes in enthusiastically before the young man could finish his thought and retreat back into the hallway.

"What?" Galivinth questions, pausing in place as he shoots the other a puzzled look.

"I want to learn more about you. You're an unusual specimen that should be studied. There's no telling what sort of insight and groundbreaking details that's just waiting to be discovered from you!" The elder better clarifies... To some degree.

"Ehh... You're not going to stick needles in me and cut me open, are you?"

"No, there's no need to! There's plentiful resources at hand that'll allow me to study your innards without performing a vasectomy on you."

"Oh. Well, alright." With that reassurance, Galivinth proceeds to enter completely before allowing the door to shut behind him.

"Great! Now, if you'd be so willing to take a seat here, we can begin immediately." Tonithy responds enthusiastically as he reaches for one of the two mobile seats within the lab by its back support and positions it right in front of himself. With little hesitation, Galivinth approaches and takes his appointed seat - and with no delay of him doing so, Tonithy moves to retrieve the tray-on-wheels nearby.

"Mind telling me how long ago you were born?" The elder asks as he moves the tray over near the counter to lay utensils neatly across it and one by one.

"Sixteen years ago, I guess." The teen answers with a nonchalant look on his face. Pausing briefly in what he was doing, Tonithy arches a brow and looks over his shoulder at the youth.

"You guess? Are you saying you're unsure of when you were?"

"Huh? No. Uh-- Right, right.. My bad. I was definitely born 16 years ago." Galivinth assures with certainty. And with that clarification, Tonithy resumes collecting a few more tools from one of the counter's drawers.

"Much better. Be as direct as you can. Any birth complications? Asthma, neural issues, diseases, mental disorders - those sorts of things."

"No, not at all. Haven't been diagnosed or born with anything."

"Height?"

"Five.... ten, I believe." The teen answers.

"Weight?"

"157 pounds, I th--.. Yeah, one-hundred and fifty-seven pounds for sure." Galivinth corrects himself midway of answering.

"I see, I see." The cryonean finishes laying out objects across his mobile tray and shifts his direct attention to the teen again, rolling his utensils over to a convenient spot nearby. The first thing he grabs is an ophthalmoscope.

"Look up and stare straight ahead for me." Tonithy instructs, though doesn't quite wait for the order to be obliged. Wielding the optic observation tool in his right hand, he uses the fingertips of his left to press underneath Galivinth's chin and guide it to an ideal angle - one that the teen goes along with without any resistance. Tonithy shuts his right eye and views through the scope with his left as he examines Galivinth's optics intently.

"Are you a doctor, too?" The teen asks while maintaining both a solemn expression and his task of staring at the upper wall beyond Tonithy's shoulder.

"No, not at all. However, some physical examination procedures are beneficial for studying specimens in the field of science. I have enough knowledge to recognize and diagnose more obvious illnesses, but I do not have the means to treat the majority of them. Haven't bothered dedicating too much time into studying many curatives." The elder answers honestly before a 'click' could be heard, and Galivinth suddenly has a source of light beaming into his eye. There's a bit of an involuntary twitch and blink, but the teen adjusts quickly and resumes idly staring forward.

"Hmmm... Int-ter-rest...-ting. Not even a hint of a pupil. It's just purely an iris." Tonithy comments before shifting the focus onto Galivinth's other eye with more or less the same scrutiny.

"How's your vision? Any level of blindness?"

"No. I can see just fine." Galivinth answers.

"Are you sure? No color blindness? Blind spots? Blurriness? Low awareness of light? Maybe even a high level of contrast in light?" Tonithy presses.

"No, none of those. Well... maybe a tiny bit of blurriness. I've been told I'm near-sighted."

"I see. Hang on a moment for me..." Another sound of a single click could be heard before the older male sets down the object in his hand and onto the tray nearby. He steps away to the lengthy counter again and retrieves something from the cabinet on the wall that's positioned near the opposite end. What the scientist ends up returning with is a tube rack containing half a dozen filled tubes - of which he holds up within Galivinth's line of sight.

"Alright, can you tell me what color you see here?" Tonithy asks just after plucking out the one holding some sort of crimson liquid.

"Red."

"Alright, good." Tonithy carefully sets the tube back into its slot and picks up a different one, this time a tube containing an autumn color.

"How about this?"

"Orange."

"Good, good." With another completed, Tonithy swaps it out for another one. This time presenting a cyan color.

"Now?"

"A...green-ish blue color? Not really light blue, but not light green either... Hard to say." Galivinth answers as honestly as he can.

"Fair and close enough! I don't particularly fault you for that one." Another swap occurs, and this time the older male holds up a tube containing an amethyst liquid.

"Last one."

"Purple."

"Alright, alright. So you don't have any issue seeing colors of any kind. But now let's test just how nearsighted you really are." Tonithy takes a moment to set the tube rack onto the counter before moving back to grab a different device. This time it was something that resembles a flashlight. He presses his right thumb down onto a certain area of the body of the light and peels open a compartment that hides a small keyboard of some kind and pushes a few keys before sealing the compartment again.

"Lab, lights off." He commands and in an instant, the lights shut off and gives way to near pitch-black darkness. The bit of light from the several machines in the room illuminates in the darkness, but nothing that makes any detail clear to see. With a shift of the switch on the red device in his hand, a ray of light emits and shines on the wall 9 yards away. It displays a circle of white with Galivinth's name sitting at the center in large bold red letters.

"My name?" Galivinth questions while arching a brow.

"Is that a question or your answer?

"Both. I can see it clearly, and it definitely shows my name on the wall."

"Good! Now, how about--" Tonithy trails off as he peels open the obscuring compartment again and pushes in different keys, but also adjusts the small dial beside them this time. The result is display of a number 1/3 the size of the text previously shown.

"And now?"

That's..." Galivinth pauses, deciding to at least try to make out what was on the wall before he gives an answer. Alas, no matter how much he squints and leans forward in his seat, he just can't make out the blurry message.

"Yeah, that's way too small for me to see." The teen admits, resorting back to his original posture within his seat upon giving up.

"I see! Lab, lights on, please." At his command, the lights flick on and illuminate the room once more. Setting the device in his hand back down onto the tray, he abandons it for a stethoscope.

"Why don't you tell me a bit about your upbringing here on earth? Even if it's just the most memorable things that come to mind." Tonithy requests while placing the tool appropriately upon his person.

"My upbringing? Well, I grew up in an apartment on the same street for all my life. I've been bullied. Called weird... blind kid, lame, and... And a pussy... because I don't like fighting." Galivinth finishes with evident annoyance.

"Pussy? That one in particular seems to draw out more of a reaction out of you. According to the English dictionary, it's a term for felines. Well-.. pussycat was the precise word. Is that a way of calling someone nimble?"

"No. It's a way of calling someone a coward. It's also a word for female genitalia."

"Aaaaaahhhh. I see. Take a deep breath for me, by the way." Tonithy instructs as he presses a small flat steel surface against the teen's chest. The latter obeys with a deep inhale and exhale through his nostrils.

"Hm. Interesting! Buuuut I should definitely double check that, just to be certain." Tonithy muses to himself before ridding himself of yet another tool and picking up a different one.

"You know, I thought for sure you'd have something more advanced." Galivinth comments.

"Fair statement. Then again, I'm not a certified doctor. Some of these were collected out of curiosity and research purposes. Though, I think this one in particular will sate your expectation." Tonithy assures as he holds up a royal blue hand-sized device to Galivinth that resembles a translucent clipboard. A light soon begins projecting from it and scanning the teen from head-to-thighs, then vice-versa. When it finishes, the light shuts off and a holographic screen expands from the side that isn't obscured by Tonithy's palm.

"Let's see here. Heart rate is at 76 bpm, blood type is B+.... Whatever that is. 76% Cryonean and 24% human? Wow, that concoction really did force override your genetic makeup! Guess I had no reason to doubt him." The scientist muses out loud as scrolls lower on the interactive display.

"177 centimeters in height, eye color white, development stage 4, and undoubtedly male."

"That thing was able to figure all of that out just by scanning me? How come you didn't start with that?" Galivinth questions while arching a brow.

"I wanted to see how adequate my own observation would be compared to it. Honestly, only a few of them were just very slightly off, so I think I did quite well!" Tonithy answers, then moves to retrieve the other available mobile seat in the room before settling into it near Galivinth.

"So, what do you think of Cryonean culture thus far?"

"It all feels so formal in nature. It's like... being surrounded by librarians."

"Interesting. Could I get you to elaborate on that for me?"

"Well, you guys are incredibly different from humans. Every one of you I've met so far are well-spoken, dignified, and honest. Everyone here seems more driven by logic than emotions, and it's a shift in atmosphere that leaves me in disbelief sometimes. It's admirable, but it makes me feel... lesser, I guess." Galivinth answers.

"Well then, I guess I should also ask how you usually perceive humans. Are they truly such a contrast to us in regard to social norms?"

"They are. Humans vary far more greatly expressive than cryoneans. Some for the better, some for the worse. It can also depend on the area they're in, as well. For example, people in West Illinois are fairly different from those in South Illinois. But an entirely different state would likely seem completely different compared to Illinois as a whole. It's very different from how things are here, I think. I don't know for sure though, because I've only been within this part of the city."

"Sounds quite similar to what I've been able to pick up through the vast entertainment that gets streamed from different regions here on Earth. There is a difference to spot clear as day amongst them." Tonithy concurs with a nod of his head, his arms raising in unity to fold across his chest in the meantime.

"What was your homeworld like?"

"Mine? Well, I cannot deny the structure of society varies on the region back home, as well. Fashion and political leaning were the signs of different Kingdoms. Some places heavily lean on magic while the local fashion was commonly green, some are science focus while the local fashion is primarily white. My particular region leans towards magic, but thankfully science wasn't reduced to a minor role. Besides that, I wouldn't say it's difficult to move and adjust back on Cryon. Mannerisms didn't really change all that much."

"Oh, so you guys just have Kingdoms on your planet?

"Yes. A legacy monarchy works well enough. The King or Queen doesn't usually have their hands full with a lot of responsibility. Nothing needs to be fixed if it's not broken. It's usually just occasional grandstanding activities. You know, longest household names, most fashionable, Kingdom sports teams, and even architect design." Tonithy takes the liberty of answering with elaborating details.

Hm. So not so different, but still different."

"Yeah. Funny enough, that makes the most sense to me too, kiddo. By the way, if you don't mind me prying, was there something you were hoping to receive aid in when you came here?"

"No, not really. Naeth suggested that I take a break and talk to my father for a bit."Galivinth answers.

"I see. You were practicing for Conquest Bout, right? How's that been going so far?"

"It's been going alright, I think. I've learned a lot from Naeth teaching me for several months, but I'm not sure if there's been any big changes between the beginning and now. I mean, there is visible progress, but probably not enough to be a good teammate." Galivinth explains.

"Sounds like quite the endeavor! This is merely my personal observation of your person as a whole, but you don't strike me as the athlete type at all. I have a hunch Trivisty favors you. You seem like a young scholar in the making, so I'll ask: Is it the physical aspect that you're particularly struggling with?"

"Who is Trivisty? And more so both. Casting and physical requirements. I have about three spells memorized, but it's hard casting in the heat of the moment. Everyone else seems to be thinking at the speed of sound, and I barely know how to react to someone just looking in my general direction."

"Hmm! Maybe what you need is a method to act preemptively. A little handicap for a dabbler such as yourself." Tonithy reasons while bringing his right hand up to his face and immediately begins stroking his digits over his thin facial hair.

"You mean something that'll help me think faster? Like a mental training exercise?"

"No, something that'll allow you to act faster. Like a gadget made specifically to accommodate your casting output. I can craft something that'll give you an edge where you need it, just until you're used to the pace of the matches."

"Oh. That kinda' sounds cool, but isn't that also kind of like cheating?" Galivinth asks.

"Technically, yes. Without a doubt it is. However, I think some sort of argument can be made for someone in your position. Possibly. My opinion holds no sway over the rules of the sport, but maybe it can be a convincing enough argument to get all participants to empathize with your situation and overlook the aid you're getting." Tonithy answers.

"You really think they'd make an exception for me?"

"No. I strongly doubt everyone would be open to it, BUT! The answer still lies within the shadow of the unknown. We won't know until someone makes the inquiry. Seeing as how I've got the free time and invested interest; I'll voluntarily be the one to ask." The elder cryonean announces with a smile and nod of his head. Tonithy then rises from his seat and heads over to the large steel storage cabinet within the room and peels it open to reveal what lies within. Various accessories and objects such as several goggles, a couple of vests, half a dozen staffs of various lengths, and a couple of boxes fill the interior - from them, Tonithy leans down to grab one of the three feet tall metal boxes and carries it over to the counter to place it down.

"You don't have to do that. If anything, I should be the one to speak up about needing or wanting accommodations."

"Consider it a mutually beneficial and friendly gesture. It's my excuse to build something unusual, and you get a new gift from yours truly. Shouldn't take too long to finish, so unless there's anything else you'd like to discuss--" Tonithy pauses as he turns his head to settle his eyes on the teen again.

"I'd like to get started on it immediately."

"Oh. No. No, I'm good. I'll just... get out of your hair for the time being." Galivinth responds and rises to stand. He heads toward the exit door, deciding it was a good time to return to the group.

"Excelente! We'll talk again soon, Galivinth!"

"Yeah, I look forward to it, sir." And with those words, the teen takes his leave and gently shuts the door behind himself. Out in the hallway, he was indeed going to return to his peers, but he stops himself just after a step forward. There was no actual rush, and forty minutes couldn't have already passed by now. With that notion in mind, he turns toward the opposite direction and begins treading down the linear pathway before him. Heading toward the direction of the library he recalls stopping by with his father during his first visit. When he passes beyond the wide-open double doors of the library, he proceeds into the rectangle room slowly while looking over the bookshelves to the right of him, noting that he was venturing through titles starting with the letter 'U' and heading into the 'V' section the further he walks. It becomes apparent the books were in alphabetical order, set up to be counterclockwise within the room. The beginning, where the 'A' section can be found, resides behind him. It's also where a man in fanciful garbs, who has taken notice of the teen, stands observing curiously. It was anyone's guess how long he's been watching, but just as Galivinth turns to explore the other side of the room, he begins approaching. A curious-like scowl upon his features. The man's features are strong, yet smooth. His complexion fair and spotless, his hair raven, rather short, and slicked back. His attire is made of an extravagant dark plum and thin high-collar jacket that bears an emblem at its left breast region. The legs of his black leather slacks lead down into a pair of black shin-high boots with white cuffs and stainless-steel toes. He was a cryonean for sure. His monochrome eyes made that quite clear.

"Aren't you that... lad from the other day? The outsider?" The stranger questions as he comes to stand a few feet away from Galivinth, standing tall at 6'4 in height.

The youth takes a moment to look him over, soon discovering that the individual also looks familiar. In fact, they were recalling the same day they saw one another.

"Yeah, I am. I remember you, too. You were with the king and those guards." Galivinth responds.

"Indeed so. Though, I'm honestly quite surprised to stumble upon you like this... No ward with you? Surely you aren't just roaming around by your lonesome and as you please?" The man questions with a wry grin taking form upon his features, expecting to be told otherwise by the other. However, with a blank stare and a brief moment of silence, Galivinth gives him the blunt truth.

"...I am." That short answer was all it took to make the man's expression shift to one of mild shock. Another few seconds of silence seeps into the atmosphere between them.

"...How wonderful." Following up his response is a chuckle that cracks another grin across the man's face.

"You may very well be the most curious circumstance to have imposed itself-- Or rather, himself -- onto our kingdom. But, contrary to how the rest likely feel, I am delighted at your presence. You very well may have made my ambitions just that much more accessible." The man goes on to explain a tad. Without the entire context, it's no wonder Galivinth then gives him a confused look.

"What?"

"Nothing that needs to be elaborated upon, especially to the likes of you. But please, do indulge yourself to our home and knowledge until you're content as can be. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be taking my leave. I look forward to spectating your match with our generous King, by the by." And with that, the man heads off and exits the library. Galivinth watches him leave through the doorway, then almost immediately sees Naeth enter through it while glancing over his shoulder for a moment. Likely looking toward the stranger that just left.

"Oh, Naeth. Sorry, has it been longer than the time you gave me already?" Galivinth asks.

"No, but it is nearing. I merely came to check up on you and maybe help sort out your thoughts. The others are taking a short break now."

"Ah, alright. My father wasn't around, so--" Galivinth begins, but Naeth promptly interrupts.

"I know, Tonithy told me when I stopped by the lab. I thought maybe I'd find you here. Didn't really think you'd bother with cryonean tomes, but here you are within one of the libraries. Did you find what you were looking for?"

"I wasn't particularly looking for anything. Just thought I'd pass some time by reading something here. Ended up talking to that guy in that dark purplish jacket and now you're here."

"Councilman Anathan? Hm... I'm sure you were able to handle yourself, right?" Naeth questions, thinking it was possible that the older male may have given his cousin some choice words.

"Yeah, it was fine. Didn't really seem... hostile? Nothing out of the ordinary, I don't think." The teen answers with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Oh Good. That aside, are you ready to head back? We're going to be resuming shortly."

"Yeah, I'm ready. I think my mind is clear now." Galivinth answers. With a nod, the two return to the others outside.

Elsewhere...

Fine leather boots near the end of flight of steps leading to the ground level of the research and university facility, a pair belonging to none other than Councilman Anathan himself. He makes his way to exit the building through its front door, carrying a thick book within his right hand, the very item and source of stimulating distraction he sought before paying the King a visit. When out in the fresh and chilling air, he heads down the stone pathway that a manipulation of sorcery prevents from being hidden under inches of snow. Unlike the grassy fields parallel to it. Awaiting at the opposite end, near the sidewalk before him, is a chariot of shimmery ebony wood and stainless platinum with a pair of mechanical steeds at its front, ready to pull and tread onward at the driver's whim - the very man in a black suit who sits atop of the comfy seat built within the old timely vehicles artistic structure.

It's not much longer before the sound of footsteps thumping upon pavement draws the driver's attention away from the holographic display before his field of vision. He reaches to press a button upon the device on the ear muffle-like device on the left side of his face while simultaneously turning his head, the obscuring screen vanishes and gives away to a clear sight of Anathan approaching.

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"Ah, Sieur Aanathan! Faster than I thought you would be. I presume you'll be wanting to head for the Sire's Castle next, yes?"

"Right you are, my good man. Immediately, if you will." The returning passenger responds as he enters and settles himself inside. At the sound of the door closing, the driver gives a whip of the reins within his hands and the android equines begin casually advancing and pulling the chariot along. Soon, Anathan pries open the book within his possession, turning over the majority of pages until he comes upon the last dozen or so. He lays eyes upon a rendered portrait of a historical figure. A Cryonean royalty from not only back on his home world, but also his family lineage. Danthan, the King of the Silver Kingdom from four eras prior. Under the picture is documentation of his time as King that goes on for several pages - of which Anathan turns pass until the next in line for the Silver Kingdom throne is addressed. King Micathan, sire from three eras ago. Anathan turns more pages and lands upon Queen Mia'than, then Prince Sythan - the son of Mia'than who died during the voyage to Earth. Very little is recorded about his life, but the only one that's even shorter is the next and current King's, specifically due to circumstances, the young Sire Kaythan. The youth their nation of stranded cryoneans answer to, as well whom Anathan was on his way to visit. Right beside the page that presents a portrait of King Kaythan is the only relative within proximity of him on Earth. Nobleman Anathan himself. The next in line for the Cryon Kingdom's throne on Earth.

With a sense of anticipation, Aanathan faintly brushes the fingertips of his right hand over his own portrait. The fire of his ambition swells within the depths of his chest for a moment, shimmering in his eyes like a hunter gazing upon the finest game he's ever laid eyes on. A subtle grin eventually takes form across his lips as he lightly taps his fingers over his face in the book, of which he turns over to shut right after. At a rather appropriate timing, no less. His ride was just arriving at the largest structure within the town.

"And here we are, sir. May the rest of your afternoon be a pleasant one in my absence." The driver announces, topping with a warm farewell.

"May yours, as well." Anathan responds upon exiting the vehicle and shutting the door behind himself. He proceeds toward the tall sparkling navy-blue gate that two grand, towering, twelve-foot-tall knights stand guard of without actually obscuring the entrance onto the castle grounds. Both made of stainless sapphire colored steel, adorned with fanciful black garbs that drape around the flank and rear sides of their lower bodies, and both armed with large broadswords they hold by the handle. No living being resides in either, but are instead instilled with magic of intent - sorcery that allows the will, emotion, or even desire of anyone to be replicated and placed unto almost any empty vessel.

Anathan moves within range to extend his arms outward to push apart the gate doors, slipping his hand through an invisible wall that only becomes apparent when his limbs go through it. And the simple reason it offers no resistance to his entree is because of his position of power.

He passes through and heads up along the wide brick pathway that leads up to the building's enormous double doors while the gates silently shut behind him. He traverses the spacious halls, advancing long stretches and making occasional turns until he reaches a set of dual redwood doors, of which he enters through. Within, a meeting between the King and council parties is taking place.

"Ah. So you've arrived, Anathan. Honestly, I was hoping you'd neglect to come to this meeting... Hoped that perhaps that you'd find it better to stay home and occupy yourself there instead." The young king, the boy sitting at the center of the half ring of a table with his arms crossed and his expression bearing a look of mild annoyance and disinterest, comments. The others briefly turn toward the doorway but pay little mind to the late arrival.

"And miss yet another engaging discussion with my peers and King? I couldn't possibly keep away, even if I wanted to. "Anathan responds with a small grin as he moves to take a seat at the left side of the table with the others. These meetings were set up to where scientists sat to the right of the king, while magesouls sit at the opposite side. Within the King's reign, magesouls are more favored than the other, thus Anathan and those on his end outnumber the other eight to four.

"Well then, shall we continue? There's merely a couple more subjects to cover, after which, the King may dismiss this meeting if he so pleases." One of the members speaks up.

"Yes, let's proceed. I tire of this room, and I wish to spend my time elsewhere before the sun begins setting." The royalty informs without any hesitation at all. And they certainly do carry on as normal. Discussions are had over the course of forty minutes or so, then those within finally rise out of their seat to take their leave upon the King's say so. All but the boy himself and his relative. The former slouches in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. Anathan simply observes the other within a moment of silence.

"Is the pressure getting to you?" The elder of the two asks.

"No. I'm just a bit mentally worn, is all. All is fine." The King answers with reassurance.

"I'm sure you're aware of such, but you can transfer the crown over to someone else until--"

"Until I'm prepared to claim it again. Yes, I know. I also know that you're aware that you're the only other individual among us that I could possibly turn it over to. You obviously want it for yourself, for whatever reason. Does your standing as a noble not satisfy you enough?" The king chimes in with a bit of annoyance in his tone, somewhat glaring at the other as he speaks.

"You make it sound as if I've some grand scheme hidden in my intent, sire. I am more than willing to admit that yes, I am prepared to don the crown, but not so much for my sake... But for my young King and cousin. And for our people. I only wish to make sure we stay the course of flourishing, is all." Anathan responds. However, his words merely earn him a scoff from the lad.

"How noble of you... Truly, such passion is something to behold." The king responds rather dismissively before rising out of his seat to take his leave of the room. Though, he gives the other one more notion on his way out.

"Rest assured, councilman Anathan... You won't ever have to worry about bearing the weight of my crown." With those words, the sound of the door shutting behind him follows.

Left alone with his thoughts, Anathan adopts a minor frown while looking toward that very door. He sighs through his nostrils and takes another read through the book in his possession, though a much more thorough one this time. He spends an hour or so longer in that room.

At his departure and as he returns to the center hall of the castle, he sees two guards escorting someone inside. A fairly familiar face - a man carrying a box that was about two feet tall and three feet in width. A scientist most likely being taken to the king's throne room for a presentation. After their passing by, Anathan's attention shifts toward several of his peers who're standing near the large double doors leading outside.

Anathan makes his way over and casually interjects himself into their conversation.

"Gentlemen." He speaks up to draw the attention of the others.

"Ah, Anathan. We were just discussing methods to help make the King's responsibilities easier." One of the men spoke.

"That's certainly worth discussing, councilman Polloman. Though, for an entirely different reason I have in mind." Anathan responds.

"I can already sense where this is going, councilman Anathan. We understand your frustration and we feel it to various degrees, yet nowhere near as strongly as you. But surely all that can be said has been said." Another of the group speaks up. This time being councilman Theodor.

"Perhaps or perhaps not. The matter persists as a potential danger. Our King is naive and too young to understand the expectations of the position he holds." Anathan counters.

"Careful you don't speak so callously at that volume... Not all would be so tolerant of talk of violating traditions." Polloman warns with genuine wariness. At such words, Anathan snaps his attention toward the older male.

"Well, they ought to be. This isn't a matter that needs coddling, this is about making sure our makeshift little kingdom continues to flourish without complications. I don't find it so unreasonable to think... to KNOW... that we need a leader who will put the collective over the individual, especially when we're arguably still vulnerable." Anathan counters sharply. His words may bring about uncomfortable silence among the five of them in an instant, but the rest have trouble internally denying that they resonate with such a sentiment.

"What do you propose that we do, then? You make a critical point, councilman Anathan, but this is something that could stir the public. Can we really afford that at a time like this?" A different voice speaks up to question, one belonging to councilman Vant.

"While this should be taken care of as soon as possible, abruptly taking this up with the king and public would not be the best approach. We need to plant seeds of reasoning among the people. Enlighten and unify them to stand with us without doubt. To demand something better than what we tolerate now. Persuade all who will listen, appeal to their sense of duty to our kingdom. Then, they shall turn and spread it to another." Anathan explains. Then he begins turning away, letting his attention linger a bit longer before he departs.

"Do that, then we can hammer the public's opinion in the fires of passion and pride until they become the weapon we need. For now, we'll stray from formulating anything formal yet and go about our lives as normal. And with that said, I shall follow through. Take care, gentlemen." He bids a farewell, but within merely three steps while turning, he ends up colliding with someone. A handful of books end up falling and pattering on the floor, including the one Anathan was holding.

"Hnn... I suppose I should have been a little more careful." The man who was carrying a box full of books nearly murmurs as he lowers into a crouch, setting the box down as he begins cleaning up the mild mess.

"No, I'm mostly to blame. I should have been far more careful." Anathan assures the other while also crouching to help a bit. He ends up only picking up two identical books, confident that one of them was his. While that was certainly true, he ends up mistakenly handing over the wrong one. Upon getting a look of the other, he discovers it's Galelith he was aiding.

"Sorry for the trouble, Galelith. May your day be pleasant enough." With those words, Anathan proceeds to take his leave.

"Yours, as well." The scientist responds as he rises to stand again. He adjusts the box within his arms for a better grip, then also heads out of the castle. He soon pushes past the gates ahead and takes a right while Anathan is already heading in the opposite direction.

The stoic father heads toward the car he left parked beside the sidewalk, places the box in the passenger side of the vehicle, and then heads around to the driver side. He drives all the way back to the academic building where his lab is, parks at the sidewalk once more, and heads inside with the box in his possession. Soon, he reaches and enters his lab briefly. His only intent was setting the box down onto the counter inside before heading out again.

That box remains there untouched all day and night, even most of the early morning of the next day when Tonithy returns to continue building his new project. It finally receives attention again when Galelith enters with his son following behind.

"I'm not quite sure how fond of reading you are, but I figured it couldn't be a burden to ask if you'd be interested in taking home some books." Galelith proposes while heading over to the box. Galivinth himself takes a seat on the stool beside his father.

"What kind of books are they?" The teen asks.

"Works of literature. Some fiction, some non-fiction. There may be one or two educational documents, too. However, they've become obsolete. They were meant to be gotten rid of, but maybe you could make better use of them." Galelith answers as he plucks out a few books to examine. Galivinth also reaches over to take one and examine it. The boy opens the tome and discovers it's a book detailing the lives of reigning royalties. With mild interest, Galivinth skips through a huge chunk of it and ends up near the very end of it.

"Huh, I see. I can look through some of them and see if any are interesting enough to keep, but I may just donate most of them to The Hall of Knowledge." Galivinth informs his father.

"That massive library in the state of Florida?"

"Yup, that's the one."

"Hm. No harm in that." Galelith comments.

"Okay! I think it's finally finished!" Tonithy exclaims in his burst of excitement, drawing the attention of the other two in the room.

"What is?" Galelith questions.

"My new invention! Galivinth, if I may have you for a moment..." Tonithy answers and requests for the teen's presence, of which the young man stands up from his seat to give. He moves to where Tonithy is.

"Now, let's just get this strapped onto you..." The enthusiastic scientist trails off with his words again while placing the first part around the teen's forearm. A leather bracer with a launcher contraption built neatly upon it, as well as some sort of ammo belt connected to it. The other half was the rest of the mentioned lengthy belt. Tonithy helps wrap it around Galivinth's hips and latch it onto a loop of the teen's jeans to help keep it from falling any lower. Instead of actual bullets however, a myriad of clear tennis-ball sized spheres were all over it.

"And Wah-La!"

"Woah... This kind of looks sick." Galivinth comments with a grin as he looks over the device on his arm, turning his arm left and right to study the design.

"Sick? I... don't think it's possible for objects to fall under ailments. Unless, we're counting rusting? But even then--" Tonithy muses out loud, the boy's lingo foreign to his comprehension.

"No, not literally sick. I just mean it looks awesome. You know, pleasantly interesting." Galivinth clarifies.

"Oh! That's good, I'm glad. I did my best to consider what might be optimal for you, so hopefully you like its capability just as much as its design!"

"And what exactly is that, Tonithy?" Galelith asks while eyeing the device.

"I call it... The Mage Canon. You see, it's a tool that allows the user to launch prepped magic spells contained in the spheres you see along the belt. It eliminates the need to memorize incantations and saves time on casting." Tonithy explains.

"Did you create that for his Conquest Bout matches?"

"That I did! Went and got the King's approval yesterday!"

"So that's what you had inside that box..." Galelith comments, recalling seeing his lab partner being escorted to the king's throne room the previous day.

"You built this pretty fast. How does it work, though?" Galivinth chimes in to ask.

"I'm glad you asked, my young acquaintance! I built in two ways to use it. The assumed standard way is placing your hand on the pad of the launcher, the spot with the ridges, and pulling back on it to fire the sphere that's in the launcher's pocket. The other way--" Tonithy pauses briefly as he steps closer, reaching under the belt to pull what vaguely resembles a kickstand from the side of the bracer and around to the front, where the teen can simply grip the fairly thick remote like an arcade stick. At it's very top sits a red button.

"Is by using this remote! When it's retracted, the button will be sunk, preventing any accidental firing. But as it is now, you can push it as much as you want and it'll fire the same way as the other method. Not quite rapidly, of course. There's a small delay when it needs to prep the next sphere. I think I adjusted it enough to get it down to about 2.6 seconds."

"Duuuuude, whaaaat... That's so crazy, man. Like, this is something straight out of a fantasy movie or something. You're a mad genius, Tonithy!" Galivinth praises, now looking upon the invention with five times more admiration gleaming in his eyes.

"I don't know about mad, but I more so like to think of myself as an upbeat and sane genius. However, I am a man who prefers to prove his merit with undeniable evidence. You and the others are training again today, yes? Why don't we head out back to join them and put the Mage Cannon to the test?" Tonithy proposes, curious himself to see just how well his invention could hold up.

"Sounds good to me! I'm ready to see what this thing can do!" Galivinth enthusiastically takes the other up on his offer. Then three depart from the lab and make their way to the rear side of the building, where Naeth and the others are waiting. Being that Tonithy's invention wasn't difficult to notice in the slightest, Naeth raises a brow.

"What is that... contraption on your arm and body?" Naeth questions.

"Tonithy calls it a 'Mage Cannon'. Says it should help me out." Galivinth answers.

"I don't think such a device is legal in Conquest Bout..."

"Not to worry! I brought it to the King's attention and got his explicit approval! Galivinth may use it." Tonithy speaks up to inform.

"Oh? Well, then I won't question it further. Let's see how much it compensates for his shortcomings." And so, training proceeds as normal.

Their routine of three hours of drills, tactic execution, and cardio comes and goes. Another day passes. And even though the following sunrise marks the day of their formal match against an actual team, it too passes. Nothing too difficult. Naeth, Raice, Qoreman, and Rayson were adequately capable enough to assert a victory over the opposing side. After that day came the next 24-hours where they'd all rest to prepare for the match that actually matters. The day they were scheduled to face off against the king and his hand-picked teammates was now at hand.

It begins almost like any other previous morning, save instead of heading inside the university and research facility, the trio of Naeth, Galivinth, and Galelith meet other members of their team at the sidewalk in front of the establishment's grounds. They all board the bus Galelith decided to make use of this particular day and were driven to the colosseum where their match would be taking place.

The exterior was a tremendous structure made of navy-blue stones and possesses the structure of an oval shape. Its size was unfathomable. In Galivinth's rough estimation, it looks as if it'd take at least 15 minutes to just walk a lap around it.

Galelith lets the bunch off the bus near the entrance of the building, of which all eight of them enter through. After traversing their way through the corridors inside, the group make out to the battleground of the colosseum -- the center ground level Galivinth discovers takes after a snowy forest in appearance. About three inches of snow obscure the pavement beneath everyone's feet. At the middle of the arena, where there was a 20-yard treeless gap between the two evenly divided sides of the field, stands the king and his chosen team members. Patiently awaiting them.

It takes a moment to notice, but there is an eerie silence that consumes the atmosphere around them - Galivinth feels. It takes only a second to realize that there are indeed people occupying the seats of the upper level of the colosseum. However, the spectators seem scarce in numbers. With their low population, it was something of a distant dream to imagine the cryonean race would grow large enough to fill out the oval structure. While trailing behind his teammates, Galivinth wonders if the low numbers are the reason he hears no chatter from the crowd at all. Maybe they were simply more aloof than he previously thought.

Nonetheless, the two opposing sides proceed to exchange words with one another.

"We're in for an interesting noon, aren't we, gentlemen and gentlelady? The outcome will decide whether this shall be a good day for one of our sides. Someone must face the repercussions of defeat with a brave face, after all. Are you excited as I am to find out who'll come out victorious?" The king greets and speaks his mind. Words he speaks with a casual grin on his face as he looks up at the older cryoneans from the opposing team.

"As excited as I am honored, your highness. I only humbly ask that you don't hold it against me for wanting to win and not holding back within this match." Naeth is the one to respond to the young king, upholding his strong-willed nature while also being mindful to choose his words carefully.

"Heh! No, no. By all means, make this your greatest endeavor yet. Don't hold back just because I wear a fanciful shiny crown. It'd be an absolute bore if none of you struggle against the inevitability that is myself." The King encourages in mockery. It's then an individual approaches the two teams - an official for the match. A man with olive skin who wears an attire consisting of a black and fairly baggy leather hoodie that bears many pockets and several zippers on it, a black baseball cap that protrudes from under his hood - the hat tilted in a way that completely obscures his eyes. An armband with a red and white stripe pattern on his left bicep, and black cargo pants that tuck into the shin-high high military boots on his feet.

An appearance that stands out in a city full of formal dressing civilians in Galivinth's honest opinion.

"Are both teams ready to begin?" The peculiar man asks.

"Indeed. I think all that needs to be said has been done so already." The King answers as he turns to head toward the tower that stood behind him. His teammates follow along.

"We're ready, as well, referee." Raice answers for her side.

"Very well. Please, head toward your own team's castle and prepare to begin. The match will commence shortly." The ref instructs before heading toward the wall behind him. Galivinth and the bunch oblige and move toward their side, as well. Soon, a dozen small and sphere-like drones fly and spread throughout the field. One in particular stations itself near the group as they stand waiting, gazing upon them with a high-end mechanical lens. As soon as Galivinth catches sight of it, he questions its presence.

"Hey, Naeth. What's that thing floating over there?" The teen asks while pointing toward the levitating eye.

"That's an AI camera. I suppose this match will be broadcasted throughout the city."

"Oh. Well, I guess it is an event that involves the King." Just after Galivinth's comment upon Naeth's answer, a booming voice that sounds as if it's coming through a microphone makes itself heard - one that sounds like the referee - by way of counting down from ten.

"Yeah, so it is. That aside--" Naeth responds before shifting his attention to the rest of the team.

"Raice, Qoreman, Rayson, and Galivinth are starting out first. The rest of you await inside the castle until we need to switch out." He states and finds his words obliged without question. Good thing, too, because there was no time for debates on the subject.

"10. 9. 8..."

"Alright, remember what we've covered in training!" Naeth shouts to the others.

"7. 6. 5. 4.

"No need to worry at all, I'm ready for this!" Raice exclaims while thrusting her right fist into her left palm.

"3... 2... 1..." The countdown arrives upon its end.

"Oh man... Can't lose, can't lose, can't lose, can't lose!" Galivinth murmurs under his breath as he flexes his fingers into and out of fists, anxiety creeping along his skin like the chilling brush of a winter breeze.

"BEGIN!" Upon that word, a transparent dome-like force field emerges from thin air. Similarly, the three towers in front of their team's castle form transparent barriers. Blue-ish walls that form a triangular blockade that prevent access to the building.

"Advance in standard formation! We need to dominate the field before they can get a proper footing in their strategies." Naeth instructs, then he's the first to take off into a dash toward the center of the field. Galivinth, Raice, Qoreman, and Rayson follow behind while making sure to spread out in a V-like structure while closing in on the middle.

Naeth comes to a skidding halt at the last row of trees on their side, his hands posturing in a claw-like manner as preemptive magic courses along his forearms like elemental bracers. Once his keen eyes spot a figure on the other side, he sharply thrusts his right hand forward.

"Ligh-Tomei!" He shouts in unity of his motion before a sudden roaring crackle of lightning intensely cuts through the air and strikes his target ferociously. A distant cry of pain could be heard as the lightning bolt assaults the individual like an enormous blunt javelin, one that tore through several trees to not only get at its mark, but also sends the person flying back until they harshly collide into a different tree.

Right after, he spots two more members of the opposing team - a pair who're taken aback by the destructive incarnation - and acts immediately.

"One to the far right!" He shouts while discharging his second prepped spell at the one to the left. A tier-3 fireball leaves the rotating sigil hovering over his palm with a violent burst and heads right for his second target. During, Raice accumulates energy into her own left hand and sends off a tier-3 wind incantation at the other Naeth brought awareness to.

"Win-di-oh!" Raice shouts just a mere second before a powerful onslaught of air leaves the sigil her incantation summons, sending her opponent torpedoing back and smashing through a couple of trees before tumbling along the snowy ground.

Similarly, Naeth's target ends up getting blown back after the massive fireball makes contact with the tree near the target and explodes with a tremendous burst.

With momentum on their side, the coordinated group advances forward to claim more ground while giving no real opportunity to the opposing side to collect themselves in the midst of the imposing push. This goes on until they near the other team's barrier, of which the king himself finally comes into view and fearlessly steps forward to confront the incoming assault. It certainly does come. Naeth gathers energy within both of his palms again, adeptly reciting the desired incantations within his mind as he holds his hands out in unity. His hands presenting horizontally, fingers spread and bent in a claw-like fashion, the bottom of his palms touching one another and facing his next target. Without a spoken word, but instead a mere thought, he discharges a dual casting. Out from his hands shoots a twisting dance of raging lightning and scorching fire that was easily three times larger than the King's body, threatening to engulf the boy whole within its aggressive elements. And yet--

"It won't be THAT easy, I'm afraid." The king muses to himself before simply gesturing his hand upward as if he was tossing up a ball from his palm, in doing, he derails the incoming projectile and sends it curving upward to meet the dead end above that was the ceiling of the force field surrounding the field.

"Did he just... control the spell?" Galivinth questions with a look of utter disbelief on his face. However, his teammates try to maintain the advantage of the situation and apply pressure. The next to do so were Qoreman and Raice, one casting a tier-3 ice spell while the other shoots forward a water spell of the same tier. Just like before, so nonchalantly, the king presents his hands in front of himself like double doors, with his finger tips touching, and makes the gesture of opening them wide into opposite directions to send the spells coming at him off to the sides.

Though taken aback, Galivinth raises his Mage Canon to take aim and fire a spell of his own, but it is a little too late.

"Huh-.. GUUH!?" A tier-2 fireball was coming right at him, and by the time he sees that fiery projectile flying his way, he's struck directly on the abdomen and sent soaring back until he eventually lands with an involuntary flip onto his face.

"Cousin!" Naeth calls out to his relative while turning toward him.

"I-I'm fine!" Galivinth assures while pushing himself up out of the snow. However, Naeth allowing his concern for his relative to be a distraction proves to be a poor decision. When he turns back around, he just barely catches the instant a member of the opposite team casts a tier-3 fireball spell toward him. Quick to react, Naeth promptly jumps up high enough to grab onto a tree branch and avoids the projectile. Afterwards, he makes use of his athletic nimbleness to rock the entirety of his body back and then swing forward to loop within a half-circle, flipping into perching himself atop of the branch seamlessly. He balances himself by using a hand to grip onto the branch and uses his other to throw out a tier-2 lightning spell in retaliation. It misses this time when his target throws themself into a roll out of the way. When he prepares to go on the offense again, the king himself lifts his hand toward Naeth and blows him away with a tier-3 wind spell that sends him far back and landing roughly at the middle of the field.

"I think it's time I had some fun, too." The king thinks out loud to himself before drawing an invisible 'U' with his right point finger, promptly creating a blocky throne of stone that shoots up from the very ground itself and sends snow flying into the air. He plops down onto it and then makes another gesture. This time, he simply points that very same finger skyward, which causes his new seat to elevate in height like a tall pillar. With his new view of the field, the young royalty begins his assault.

Grunting, Naeth pushes himself off of his stomach and into a kneeling position. He would've gotten right back into the thick of the action, but what he sees next leaves him staring in shock. It wasn't simply the King sitting on his high throne, but the incoming 'rainfall' of fireballs from above. The first lands just 6 yards away from him with an explosive impact that quakes the ground beneath him so harshly, that he nearly loses his balance. Several more like that one follow in quick succession and pummel the ground just as ferociously. In the next moment, he sees the other four members of his team retreating from the enemy's side while a barrage of spells come flying from further back of the opposing team's woods.

"What is even happening right now!?" Galivinth shouts in the middle of running.

"Good lord, the... the king is far, far more formidable than I thought he'd be!" Qoreman comments.

"Naeth, you've got to move! Get up!" Rayson shouts while coming to pass the individual he addresses. And the latter does indeed heed his advice and scurries up the ground before moving within a full-blown sprint. In the chaos, the opposing team keeps on their pressure and follows behind. Given how they were spread out, especially Galivinth who was at the far side, it was easy for them to carry out an on-the-spot plan to isolate the weakest link.

It begins just as Naeth and Rayson formulate a defensive plan.

"Raice, help me put up a stone wall for cover!" Naeth shouts just before shifting into sliding the soles of his boots along the ground of white under him to bring himself to a stop. Raice does the same just a few feet away from him, including the part where he turns himself around. The two then prepare an earth spell and simultaneously slam their palms down to the ground just as Qoreman and Rayson pass them by. Twin walls of stone shoot up from the earth and stand about ten feet tall in front of the four of them, effectively blocking the incoming spells. While their new protection begins taking a beating, Naeth takes a moment to look around and finally notices that someone is missing.

"Ack!" Galivinth grunts while falling over onto his stomach after a fireball strikes just a measly feet away from him and throws him off balance. He attempts to hurry back onto his feet, but a tier-3 lightning spell that also just barely misses startles him enough to cause the teen to trip over himself. The delay in his movement results in him being caught. The next spell, a tier-3 fireball, hits his back directly and hurls him violently toward the arena's wall. The teen ends up tumbling uncontrollably until the momentum causes his forehead to harshly meet with the transparent surface of the force field at the far side of the arena. His head bounces right off of it before he drops onto his back, grimacing as he holds his head with a single hand.

"That kind of hurt..." He murmurs before pushing himself up to stand. In the midst of him rising, a tier-1 lightning spell hits him directly and sends a shock through his entire body.

"Aa-uck-k-k!?" The teen practically cries out as his body fidgets against his will.

"Cousin Galivinth!" Naeth calls out in horror.

"We have to help him." Rayson states, knowing that things could only get worse if nothing is done soon.

When another tier-3 fireball hits Galivinth and ruthlessly slams him against the force field's wall with a resounding DHOOOM ! as if his body was colliding with a glass-like surface, and the teen drops to his knees in pain, it's then Naeth decides to make a run for it.

"I'm going to help him." Naeth announces before suddenly taking off into a dash and out from the walls' protection. He's quick, but he does not get far at all under the King's keen eyes. A fireball hits the ground right in front of him and cuts his advance short in an instant. Naeth ends up falling onto his back from the impact. While hustling back up onto his feet, he turns his head in time to see several more fire projectiles closing in on him. With no other choice, he turns around and heads back to take cover behind the walls again. Managing to avoid getting hit by any of the spells as he does. It becomes apparent that the King is keeping a close eye on the four of them. And as the other four members of the opposing team continue their onslaught of spells at Galivinth, refusing to even make a move toward their castle's towers, it dawns upon Naeth what's going on. Even Galelith and Tonithy can see it from the seats.

"How interesting... I don't think I've seen this kind of ill sportsmanship before. Not on such a deliberate scale like this." Tonithy comments with a skeptical expression upon his face. Beside him, Galelith comes to take a seat nearby. Watching with a noticeable frown.

"Hnn..." The latter reframes from making any sort of comment and just observes as the match goes on. There was simply nothing he could do within this very moment, thus he had to endure watching his only child suffer such aggression. Uncomfortably so. His right brow twitches in irritation at the sight.

"I should have known this was a possibility... I should have kept a closer eye on him!" Naeth shouts as his frustration grows by the passing seconds.

"I... I don't think any of us expected something like this to happen. Are they truly so enraged by his mere presence that they'd stoop to such a thing?" Qoreman rhetorically questions as he looks upon the scene with disgust.

"We have to do something, Naeth. They're going to such extreme lengths just to hurt him..." Raice comments.

"I know, Raice. I know. I just have to think for a moment..." He responds while bawling his hands into fists as a scowl settles upon his features. After a moment of thinking, a risky idea finally comes to mind.

"I need one of you to blast me over to him with a wind spell." He announces.

"What? But what if-" Qoreman attempts to question the idea, but Naeth sharply cuts in.

"Now is not the time to debate ideas. I just need you to trust me and do as I say."

"Are you really sure about this?" Qoreman asks while arching a brow.

"I am. Make sure it's a tier-3 incantation, as well. The sooner I'm over there, the sooner I can do something about this." Naeth explains.

"...Alright, then. I'll be the one to do it."

"Fine by me. The second I start running out, I want you to cast it immediately." Naeth tells him before taking up stance. preparing to kick off into another sprint.

"Be careful, Naeth." Raice tells him.

"I'll be just fine. I'm moving out now." And with that said, Naeth takes off and again toward Galivinth. Just as the King spots his attempt and is about to rain down more fireballs, Qoreman casts a spell of his own first.

"Win-di-oh!" As Qoreman speaks the incantation, he thrusts his right palm outward at Naeth's back and sends a powerful gust of wind at his companion.

As soon as Naeth hears the first syllable of Qoreman's spell, he takes a lunge jump just in time to be sent soaring far and high across the field. He bends his knees as he nears the other side and eyes an individual from the other team that he's inevitably going to collide into. Then it happens. He sends that person flying with a devastating drop-kick and bouncing off the wall with a gruesome thud. After having his momentum brought to a halt and safely dropping onto the snowy ground, Naeth leaps up onto his feet again by pushing himself up from the ground. Quickly moving to Galivinth, who was curled on his side in the fetal position, Naeth casts another earth spell to create a wall in front of them.

"Are you okay?" Naeth asks while moving toward his relative and places a hand upon the teen's shoulder.

"AAAUGH! Dude, stop. Stop!" Galivinth exclaims in agony, resulting in the other swiftly retracting his hand in concern.

"Are you in a lot of pain?"

"Yes! God... I... I think my arm is broken." Galivinth answers, panting as pain courses throughout his body.

"I can't move it.. it hurts and I can't move it, man!" He groans out, panicking at the realization.

"Damn it...Just try not to move and hang on, alright? The referee should be-" Before Naeth can finish that thought, a buzzard sounds throughout the coliseum.

"What's that sound?" Galivinth asks.

"The half-time alarm. Twelve minutes have passed." Naeth answers.

"Thank God...I don't think I can play anymore."

"Neither do I. I don't imagine there's much you can do with a broken arm." Naeth rationalizes as the others run over to them. After sharing the details of Galivinth's injury, Qoreman and Naeth carefully help the teen up onto his feet before they all travel back to their castle as a group. Once inside and Galivinth stands on his own, the team discuss their predicament at hand.

"It would seem a straightforward approach won't do us any good here. We'll need to be at least a little crafty in our attempts from here on out. We also can't afford to be pinned down like that again." Qoreman reasons.

"No, we most certainly cannot. They didn't bother with the towers, very likely because Galivinth was out on the field with us, but they'll definitely win if they decide to actually play for the objective when we swap him out."

"Auugh.. Jeeze, this hurts so bad..." Galivinth murmurs after feeling a sharp pain shoot through his shoulder from just slightly adjusting his posture. This draws the attentive attention of both Raice and Qoreman, who approach to help ease his pain. Raice helps make a sling out of the hoody Galivinth was wearing under his protective Conquest Bout coat, while Qoreman mindfully places his hands upon the teen's injured shoulder and uses sorcery to numb the pain.

"Alright, does that help at all?" Qoreman asks as he removes his hands. Curiously and cautiously, Galivinth slightly turns his torso left to right, then leans forward and back.

"Yeah, that really helps. I can feel a little pain, but it's much easier to move now. What exactly did you do to me?"

"I used sorcery to carefully turn a very small amount of your blood into a substance meant for numbing parts of the body." Qoreman answers.

"What, like novacaine?"

"Yes, something very similar to that."

"Pardon my interruption, but I've been tasked with bringing a stipulation from the king to your attention." A voice from the doorway makes itself heard and draws the attention of everyone inside. Turning toward the source, they see it's the referee himself addressing them.

"And... what is this stipulation, if I may ask?" Naeth questions with a skeptical look.

"A simple one, honestly. Your team is prohibited from swapping out the player Galivinth from the field." Comes the man's deadpan answer.

"What!?" Naeth shoots a look of utter disbelief.

"But my arm is broken! I'm supposed to play without the use of my right arm!?" Galivinth asks while gesturing toward his injury.

"Ah, that does sound troublesome, actually. I suppose it couldn't hurt to get the king's opinion of this factor." The ref reasons before reaching into the pocket to bring out and hold a hand-sized glass ball within his palm. Before everyone's eyes, that monochrome sphere begins blinking violet while giving off a faint whirring sound. Seconds into it, the ball turns and stays a solid violet color as a projection screen forms and hovers above it. On it is the face of none other than the young highness himself.

"Apologies for the disturbance, your majesty, but it would seem the individual you spoke of, Galivinth, has suffered an injury during the match. Should I--"

"That matters not one little bit to me, quite frankly. My demand shall still stand." The king abruptly chimes in.

"But he can't use his arm. Surely it's not unreasonable to set him aside and allow a replacement to take his place?" Naeth argues.

"I. Do. Not. Care." The king retorts nonchalantly.

"This is not a typical match and you very well know this. You all are aware of this. A wager is on the line and it directly involves the outsider. Now, if the idea of continuing this match is too much of a burden, then there's always the option of giving up. Would you like to forfeit the match?"

"Sire--" Naeth attempts to say something further, but he's promptly cut off.

"Silence and remain with your tongue held. I want to hear the answer from the outsider himself. Do you wish to yield and abandon the match, abomination?" The king asks. After a short moment of staring with a wary expression, the teen does eventually answer. Not before he lets out a heavy sigh, though.

"No... I don't forfeit. I'll play." Galivinth responds dryly.

"Good! I'm glad we were able to come to an understanding." And with that said, the king cuts off the communication link and allows the sphere in the referee's hand to return to its original monochrome state.

"Well, I'll be going now." The ref informs before placing the item back into his pocket as he turns to leave.

"The match will resume shortly, by the way." He adds on his way out.

"...I'm sorry, cousin Galivinth. It looks as if you'll have to endure for a little longer." Naeth expresses his sympathy toward his relative.

"It's.. it's fine. I get it... I'm not supposed to be here, and this is me having to pay the price for being somewhere I probably shouldn't have ever been. I'm sure most of the population here feels slighted at my presence, but it's too late to walk away now. I still have a chance to fix all of this by winning, though. Whining and moaning won't make it any easier." Galivinth responds, knowing full well that feeling sorry for himself wasn't going to provide any sort of solution.

"Well said. Then with that in mind, let's go over a strategy. We need to hit them effectively and swiftly." Naeth announces. It's then that Galivinth takes a moment to observe the mage cannon on his arm, more specifically the next spell sphere in waiting. From his observation, he notices that the next three at tier-2 water spells. At first, it doesn't seem like much, but then he recalls Naeth's affinity for fire magic.

"I think I may have an idea... Or rather, a contribution to forming one." Galivinth informs the others.

Several minutes pass and the group was given a 1-minute heads up that the second round was going to be starting soon. On their way out of the castle, Galivinth requests Raice's aid in peeling out the trigger remote of his Mage Canon so that he at least has a way to use it with a single hand. Afterwards, the group takes their place in front of their trio of towers and await an official signal. Before long, another 10-second countdown begins.

"BEGIN!" The referee's voice shouts through some unseen microphone once the counting finishes. Almost like before, the group rushes for the center of the field. They arrive first, and once there, they set up a defensive blockade. Rayson and Qoreman are the ones to cast the earth spell this time and summon twin stone walls that stand 1 meter apart. Galivinth, Raice, and Rayson take cover behind the left while Naeth and Qoreman shield themselves behind the one on the right. With little to no delay, a myriad of spells begin flying and hitting the covers, gradually chipping away at them.

"Alright, let's do it." A scowl of determination makes itself at home upon Galivinth's face as he raises his good arm, ready to execute his idea.

"Ready when you are." Naeth responds while giving a nod of acknowledgement, preparing both of his hands yet again to cast fireball spells. With Galivinth taking the lead, the two step out into the center opening one after the other and fire in near unity. With the push of his remote, Galivinth launches a sphere forward while Naeth discharges one of his fire spells to chase after it. In a seamless instant, the two elements intertwine and contrast to create a spreading blanket of steam that begins obscuring both team's view of one another.

"Again." Galivinth commands and the two repeat the process again.

"One more!" And yet again, they execute the same action. Now, that steam is growing massive and is on the verge of covering the enemy team's entire side. The barrage of spells comes to an end in that moment, as well.

"Now's our chance." Qoreman announces before the group splits into parties and advances forward at opposite sides to avoid confusion on their end.

Through the fog, the sound of snow crunching beneath a pair of quick footsteps attracts the attention of an enemy on Naeth and Raice's side. The individual shoots a lightning spell off into the general direction of the noise is coming from, but little does that person know that the light illuminating from his casting gives Naeth and Raice more than enough warning to evade it. His position is also giving away. In just mere seconds, without warning, Naeth leaps into sight. His left shin and foot possessing a faint buzz of electricity as he comes in spinning with a flying roundhouse kick.

"Ligh-Tono!" Naeth exclaims just as his kick lands across his opponent's jaw, both the impact of his blow and the tier-2 lightning spell he casts sends his target rocketing into the distance and smashing right through a tree, eventually landing near the king who stands just outside of the fog.

The next to go on the attack was Raice further up ahead. As soon as she spots a member of the other team, she preps a tier-1 lightning spell within her left arm while shoulder-tackling her unsuspecting target into a nearby tree.

"Ligh-to!" She roars and follows up with a gut punch that knocks the wind out of her target just before her spell sends a shock through their entire body. Not quite done, she jumps back on the balls of her feet to get a bit of room and prep a spell around her left foot. She grits her teeth and lunges forward with a thrusting kick to the face, shattering the tree and sending the individual flying skyward with tier-3 wind spell. That person ends up landing right on top of their team's castle.

Meanwhile Galivinth and Rayson are less hands-on with their methods of attacks. Working together while matching pace, the pair tag the other two members of the enemy team with combination spells. The first being water and lightning, then air and fire knocks the next one down. The five of them take advantage of critically knocking the king's team off balance and go on to make one more push to finish the job. Naeth, who cuts off from Raice and heads down the middle, emerges from the fog right before the king. His hands bearing an aura of amber, signaling he was planning on shooting off another dual of fire spells. However, before he can actually get either of them out, the king swiftly makes a gesture of pointing down and forces Naeth's magic bearing hands to drag and pin him down to the ground.

"What...Tch! What is this!?" Naeth shouts while struggling to pull himself up from his crouching position. In vain, it seems. His hands just wouldn't budge at all.

"I can control magic even before you throw it out." The king explains with a grin. Meanwhile, his teammate that was laying nearby groans and finally begins rising to their feet.

"Though this little tactic may be a tad clever, it's still not enough to-" Before the smug cryonean royalty could finish that thought, two spells come flying out of the mist and send his recovering teammate slamming against one of the towers on their side.

From a different angle of the fog, several more spells emerge. Though this time, the target was the tower on the right. After the tower takes significant damage, the King divides his attention between keeping Naeth pinned in place and watching out for more spells. However, the next onslaught is a flurry. Seven in total come out of the mist with the intent of hitting the left and right towers. He manages to deflect the four heading for the right side, but couldn't quite stop the left side from taking damage. It doesn't end there, either. Another half a dozen come flying in and bring about the same results. Due to how much punishment it takes on, the battered tower on the left inevitably crumples upon itself, and with it leaves one half of the barriers that were preventing entry. Very much to the King's annoyance.

"Heh. It's just about over. You have no choice but to relinquish your hold on me, or you'll risk losing." Naeth smugly informs. He wasn't wrong, either. Galivinth and Rayson come running out of the mist, heading for the opening they just created. Seeing this, the King decides then and there to use Naeth's own accumulated magic to fling him all the way back to the opposite side of the field, then immediately turn towards the two approaching his team's castle. With merely a gesture, he brings up a stone wall in front of them, one wide enough to prevent them from simply going around it.

"Ah, great... Now what?" Galivinth scoffs, though there was little time to worry about the new obstacle in their way. A sudden bolt of lightning comes down from above and hits the ground near the two, causing snow to erupt into the air. The two look up to see the culprit behind it was someone atop of the castle, and also seeing the individual was preparing to cast another spell.

"Look out!" Rayson shouts, shoving Galivinth out of the way of an incoming fireball from another enemy team member. In an instant, Galivinth and Rayson exchange their targets. Rayson, who preps his own tier-3 lightning spell while jumping out of the way of a tier-2 bolt, finds a precise time to deliver a counterattack and send his mark flying back further with a swift spell. Meanwhile, Galiving aims his mage cannon and fires a tier-2 fireball spell at the target on ground level with them. Luckily, the individual was still trying to get their footing while rising to stand, and the spell hit spot on.

"Alright, looks like you're going up and over, then." Rayson informs as he hustles over toward the stone wall blocking their path and takes a kneeling position.

"Me?" Galivinth questions while arching a brow.

"Well, it's not like you're going to be giving anyone a boost any time soon. Now hurry, we don't have unlimited time on our hands." Rayson insists while beckoning the teen over to him. During this, Qoreman and Raice occupy the king's attention by alternating between one of them going on offense while the other evades the King's attacks. This recycling dance goes on for a bit longer, just until the king hears a thud behind him. Stealing a peek over his shoulders, he sees that it's Galivinth who's now on the other side of the wall.

You've got to be kidding me!" The king exclaims and puts an abrupt end to his exchange with Qoreman and Raice with a single swipe of his hand, that summons a powerful gust of wind that carries the two off to the side. The king then stomps a foot in front of the other and turns the ground beneath him into a wave of snow and concrete to ride it around.

Rayson quickly and wisely moves out of the way as the king approaches, though someone else intervenes instead.

"No you don't!" Naeth shouts in the middle of lunging toward the young king, spearing him with a tackle right off that tall wave and onto the snowy ground.

"The match is set and won!" The referee announces the very moment Galivinth steps inside the enemy team's castle doorway. Following the call, the force field around the arena dissolves, as well as the ones on the field. Not only that, but there was finally a reaction from the crowd. A resounding round of applause and incoherent chatter, that both honestly feels rather aloof in nature.

"Darn it... I can't believe I lost." The king murmurs as he sits, then pushes himself up back onto his feet before dusting the snow off his attire. Naeth does the same.

"I wasn't so sure we were going to win that. I suppose when one is left with no other favorable option, determination will find a way." Naeth muses with a grin. Soon, Galivinth departs from the castle and approaches Naeth and the king. The others of his team also join them.

"Well, looks like you've won, human. Lucky you." The king comments in a mocking tone.

"And so, a deal is a deal. You shall be granted citizenship and the privilege of being able to ask me for a single favor."

"Thanks. It... definitely wasn't easy and it sure did hurt a lot, but I'm glad we pulled through and won in the end." Galivinth response.

"Yes, it was quite amusing. I genuinely had fun, too. Now, since our business has concluded here, I shall be going now. I've important business to attend to, unfortunately." The king shares and then begins to head off and take his leave. Though, he does pause for a moment to look back and give his final parting words.

"Be sure to stay out of trouble, abomination. I dread the earful I'm going to get from my council committee and I don't need more of a reason to regret this day. May your short life be an enjoyable one." And with that, the young king continues on his way. The group basks in the moment as a breeze brushes by. Then Galivinth gives his thoughts on what they just went through.

"Hey, Naeth..."

"Yes, cousin?"

"...Your king is kind of a faggot."

END.