The group followed the shining trail without encountering any of the other teams, as most teams were too busy fighting with one another, bringing the fights in scattered parts of the grounds. Even with the thought of other teams staying distracted, however, Kassius stayed vigilant as they moved through the forest, as did Eva. Though distant, the fighting could be heard all around them, fortunately the chaos allowed them to slip through unnoticed.

“Are we getting any close?” Fenris asked impatiently.

“I don’t know Fenris. How about you shut up and just follow the path before you get someone’s attention.” Gwin responded aggressively.

“The other teams are too busy fighting each other, they won’t even notice us.” Fenris shrugged. As they continued on their path, a faint whisper broke the silence.

“Release me….” the voice whispered. Kassius felt a chill down his back and turned. To his shock, he saw no one around him. He shook his head and dismissed it before it spoke again. “Release me..” the voice whispered with more intensity. Kassius turned once more and saw no one again, not even a figure in the distance.

“What’s wrong, Kassius?” Eva asked, looking at Kassius with concern.

“It’s nothing, just thought I heard something.” Kassius said as confidently as he could. He didn’t know what it was, but the voice had a sense of familiarity to Kassius. He felt dread and cold from the voice, and yet he didn’t feel afraid. It was as if he’s known it for all his life.

“Wait..” Eva said abruptly. The rest of the group stopped in their tracks, confused.

“What?” Fenris asked. Eva only responded by putting her finger to her lips, signaling to keep quiet.

No sound was heard but the rustling of the leaves and branches until a crack was heard. The group ducked into the nearest bushes, and laid there silently as a team emerged from the woods.

“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” a very pompous girl said.

“It better be, otherwise we’d be wasting our time.” a tall arrogant boy said, as they emerged from the forest into the view of the group.

“You doubt me, Vivian?” another voice said, with an annoying tone familiar to Kassius. Adonis emerged from behind the two. “N-no Adonis, I just don’t trust the animal and his friends.” Vivian said humbly to Adonis.

“What about you, Luke?” Adonis said, eyeing the tall boy.

“N-no, I’m just being cautious Adonis.” Luke responded as humbly as Vivian. “Your caution is appreciated Luke, but I’m sure our guide wouldn’t dare lie to us. Would you?” Adonis turned to a bound Hazel and his team, battered and bruised, behind him.

“You don’t have to do this, Adonis, you already defeated us.” Hazel said, forcing cheer from his pain. “You know our predicament as well as I, monkey boy. None of the teams know where to look for the flag, but you being half-beast have a sense of tracking superior to almost any living being.”

“You’re just cheating your way to win Adonis.” Peony yelled. A burly boy hit Peony down to the ground after the comment. “Keep your mouth shut, flee!”

“No need for violence, Francis.” Adonis said in his usual smug manner.

He approached Peony and the rest of her group and knelt down. “If you want you and your team to come out of this unscathed, I suggest you cooperate with us.” he said with a small arrogant smirk.

“The same goes for you, especially Lee. You know as well as I, that we can easily give you the most painful and aggravating loss of your life.”

“The teachers would never allow you to do this. You’ll be expelled.” Zeke said.

”The teachers will never know because you will never remember. You forget, we will wipe your memories of any of this after we’ve won.”

“I can easily take away these bad memories from you and plant new ones for you to tell the teachers.” Vivian said, waving her hand to threaten them.

“Now if any of you have any more objections, I could honestly care less. Right now, we need to get a move on.”

“Lee?” Adonis looked at Lee signaling him to move on ahead. Vivian and Luke followed along with Adonis, then Peony and the others followed.

Shortly after the group disappeared further into the forest, Kassius and the others stood up from the bushes. “That little arrogant Archanian shit.” Gwin said aggressively.

“Not surprised to see him like this.” Fenris said. “We should help them.” Eva said. “What?! Are you crazy?!” Fenris protested.

“Are you saying we should leave them to that? That’s borderline torture, not sport.” Eva pleaded.

“I don’t want to leave them anymore than you do but if we lose to them, we lose the chance at winning this game and they’ll wipe their memories.” Fenris explained.

“Who knows what might happen to them while Adonis has them bound, and I, for one, don’t want to know regardless.” Eva expressed.

“Guys enough!” Gwin yelled, and the two ceased their argument. “Whatever we do we need to decide, we need to do it now, they’re on the same trail as we are.” Gwin explained hurriedly, pointing at the shining trail.

“Now, I’m absolutely sure we’re on the right track.” Gwin finished. The group stood in silence, then they looked towards Kassius. “Kassius?’ Eva said.They all expected him to have the answer, when in reality he was at a loss.

On one hand, if they went for the win right now, Adonis would painfully beat Hazel’s team until the match was over and wipe their memories. On the other hand, if they fought Adonis now, they would have a high chance of losing against them, risking their victory , and he would still wipe the memories of Hazel’s team.

“We’ve explained our thoughts on the matter. It’s your choice.” Fenris said. Kassius stood speechless, somehow thoughtless. He thought to himself “What am I supposed to do? How do I make this decision?”.

He thought hard with the little time and immense pressure on him. For the most part, he saw no way of winning, he thought that they had to go for the win and hope for the best, until an idea dawned on him.

“Gwin, can you get past them without them noticing?” Kassius asked. Gwin looked confused but nodded. “Alright, you and Fenris will go on ahead and do your best to overtake Adonis.” Kassius explained.

“Once you’re ahead, set up some of your traps, and Fenris, you watch her back until you two get to the flag.”

“What is this, man?” Fenris asked. “We’ll go for the win and save Hazel and the others.” Kassius said with as much confidence he can muster.

The three looked at each other as if it was the worst choice from all that was presented to them. “I know it’s crazy but it’s a choice, I’d rather take this chance of having two wins rather than a guaranteed loss.” Kassius explained with passion.

“I will take this chance, no matter how small it is.” The group watched him and a grin spread through all of them. “Always gotta make trouble for us don’t you.” Fenris said with a slight chuckle. “You know you’ll do it anyway.” Kassius responded back, gaining laughs from the group.

“If we get a headache from this memory wiping shit–”

“You won’t remember anyway so just shut up and do it will you.” Eva said, cutting off Fenris’ sarcastic protest.

“Back to the plan, while Fenris and Gwin set up traps ahead, Eva and I will do our best to free Hazel and the others, while also delaying Adonis’ team.”

“Once you and Fenris finish, go straight to the end of the path to the flag.” Kassius finished explaining his plan and waited for any objections that they might’ve had with the plan. To his surprise, no one objected, and everyone nodded.

“What about you and Eva?” Gwin asked, filled with concern.

“When we’ve freed Hazel and the others, we’ll lead them through your traps and towards the flag, Fenris will join us fighting Adonis.” “Don’t expect a fair fight.” Eva cautioned the group.

“Adonis already proved what he’s willing to do to win.” the group nodded in silent agreement. “On your command, o fearless leader.” Fenris said sarcastically as the group turned to Kassius.

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“Let’s get our friends, beat Adonis’ smug ass, and win this.” Kassius siad and the group nodded. They all stood and commenced their plan.

Gwin and Fenris sprinted following the shining path while Eva and Kassius lagged behind to catch Adonis’ team by surprise.

“I hope this works.” Eva said. “I hope so too.” Kassius responded. “Can they overtake them without being noticed?” Kassius asked, looking for some reassurance that this plan will work. “You want the facts or reassurance for the plan?” Eva responded back.

“An honest opinion would be nice.” Kassius said feigning a light hearted chuckle. “Gwin is clever enough to find a way to succeed, and Fenris is amazing in his magical ability, even if he is an idiot.” Eva began explaining.

“If there is any possible way for success, they’ll find it.” Eva said without a shadow of a doubt from her.

“Wasn’t expecting that from you.” Kassius said. “I’m not as depressing as you might think Kassius, despite the first time we met.” Eva said. “Fair point.”

As they walked through the forest following the same trail as Adonis, Kassius could feel the same chill down his back and heard the voice. “Release me, child…..”

“You need my power…..” the voice said intensely. Kassius jumped slightly, but he tried to keep himself composed in front of Eva, to avoid making her worry. “Eva, use the trees and attack them from there.” Kassius commanded Eva, and without hesitation, Eva nodded and used her nature magic to bring her to the branches.

Once Kassius saw that Eva was far enough away, he decided to focus on this mystery. “Who are you?” Kassius asked, hoping for a response from the mysterious voice.

“The source of your power.” the voice said. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you….my magic?” Kassius asked.

“I…..am your strength….and your rage.” the voice responded. “I am power, destined to chaos.” Kassius felt a more intense dread at the words coming from the voice.

“Where are you?” Kassius asked, looking around hoping for some sign of a person, or whatever this voice was and where it came from, but no such luck. From near and far, it was all wood and green.

“Release me…..Use me……” the voice said, getting louder as it goes on. “How do I do that?” Kassius asked. However, before he got a chance to get a response, he heard another voice whispering with urgency. “Kassius!” the voice said. He looked up and saw Eva looking down to him and pointing ahead, and saw a small group and the familiar blonde hair of his most hated person in the world, Adonis. Kassius gave Eva a signal, telling her to move ahead while he stayed behind to flank them.

“Wait for my go.” Kassius whispered loudly. Eva nodded. Kassius inched as close as he could without getting noticed. He anxiously looked anywhere in his field of vision to see if Fenris or Gwin had been spotted, or if they made it past them. Thankfully, he saw none of them around, that means they got ahead and that he should see traps setting off soon.

“How much further beast-boy?” Luke asked crudely. “Not that much further. I feel it getting closer.” Hazel said.

“Luke, Francis, go on ahead and make sure no other team is there when we get there.” Luke and Francis moved on ahead of the group, Kassius and Eva readied themselves to start their ambush. They waited as patiently as they could for any of Gwin’s traps to be set off, but nothing came.

“Did she set traps?” Kassius thought. As he was about to move to see what’s going on, a loud bang and a scream was heard from ahead.

“LUKE, FRANCIS, WHAT’S GOING ON!?” Adonis yelled, as another loud scream was heard. “WHAT’S GOING ON?!!?” Adonis yells louder, as the group stays in place, afraid and anxious of what will happen. Kassius looked towards Eva in the trees and gave her the signal to begin.

Eva shot two normal arrows towards Adonis and Vivian, and they both dodged it by a hair. As they were dodging, Kassius emerged from the trees behind them and pulled out his weapon and charged at Peony and the others. He swung his blade and broke the bindings and freed Peony’s team.

“Thanks a lot, Kassius.” Peony said, breathless from relief at being saved. Zeke and Myrtia also expressed their thanks to Kassius, while Adonis is distracted.

“Quick, go while they’re distracted.” Kassius urged them. “Not without, Hazel.” Myrtia pleaded. “We’ll take care of this, you have to get away from them while you still can.” Kassius urged them even more.

They gave him a look telling him that they won’t go, not without Hazel, no matter what he said and what he did. Seeing that they were in the middle of a fight, he reluctantly let them stay and got back into the fight with Eva.

Eva had been keeping Adonis at bay for a long time, with great difficulty as Vivian and Adonis were casting spells at her as she jumped from branch to branch without falling and losing her advantage. Kassius joined the fight, attacking Adonis with his blades, but his attack was blocked in time by Adonis using a shield spell. Vivian then attacked Kassius, making him recoil back to avoid a close and easy shot for Vivian. Eva resumed her attack against the two, allowing Hazel to separate himself. Kassius ran towards him and got him out of harm’s way.

“Having fun, Hazel?” Kassius said jokingly. “Still a good day considering everything.” Hazel said, chuckling. He reunited Hazel with his team and freed him of his bindings. Peony lunged at Hazel giving him a huge hug, then their team followed suit.

“W-we-we were so w-worried.” Peony said in her normal stuttering manner as she pulled back from the hug, embarrassed and blushing.

“I’m sorry you had to risk yourself like that, Hazel. If I had been…” Zeke said sadly. “Don’t apologize, Zeke. You did your best, all of us did.” Hazel said with a bright smile normal of him.

Kassius watched as the team had a look of defeat, despite just being saved.

“Worry about this later guys, for now go to the flag and watch out for any more traps, Gwin and Fenris will be waiting for you.” Kassius explained and urged them to get away.

“I’m not leaving you here, Kassius. I’ll fight with you.” Hazel insisted., with his entire group giving the same look as he was. “You guys did enough, you guys need to go where it’s safe. Go!” Kassius urged with all his heart to make them understand.

After a moment, they nodded and went on ahead. With Hazel and the others away from the fight, Kassius can now focus on luring them through the traps. When he turned back to focus on the fight, he saw Eva being overwhelmed by the spells of Adonis and Vivian. He quickly charged towards them and tackled Adonis, giving Eva some room to move. Vivian tried to quickly attack Kassius from behind, but she was interrupted by Eva attacking her. Kassius thanked Eva with a nod, and they both successfully separated the two and evened the fight.

“Always a thorn at my side, outsider.” Adonis said. “Always allergic decency, Adonis.” Kassius retorted. The two looked at each other with fire in their eyes, eager to fight, eager to teach the other a very painful lesson.

“You are outmatched, don’t think that this will be anything like combat class, outsider.” Adonis boasted and puffed his chest out. “We’ll just see about that, Adonis.” Kassius said, matching his bravado.

They stood silent for a moment, intensely preparing to make their moves. It was as if there was no one else around for their duel. The noise and all other sound seemingly drowned out by the intense atmosphere from the malicious intent coming from both boys. As if lightning had struck the ground, the two burst into movement and attacked one another simultaneously. Kassius charged forward with his blade, while Adonis casted fireballs towards him.

Without thinking, Kassius cut through the fireballs and dodged the others. When he reached Adonis, he swung his blades to get a hit, but he only managed to graze Adonis’ attire. Kassius kept swinging to keep pressure on Adonis and prevent him from casting any spells, but Adonis casted a blast around him that knocked Kassius away from Adonis. Adonis prepared his spells, reciting an incantation which produced lightning all around them, Kassius looked around to see what he could do to avoid them. He felt his blades form into something else, as he looked to see gauntlets on both his arms.

On instinct, he put his gauntlets together and formed a field. When Adonis had finished reciting the incantation, Bolts of lightning razed through the area hitting everything and anything within range. Kassius stood his ground, and the field protected him from the numerous bolts that surrounded him. Just as it seemed as if he was safe, the field began to crack and bolts still ravaged his surroundings. Kassius thought that he might’ve lost this fight as he was at a loss as to what to do.

“Release me…” a voice whispered. “Release me….and gain power.” It was the voice again. Kassius drowned out the cracking of the field, the crackling of the bolts, and all other sound, and fell into a trance. “Release me….let your chaos and rage free.” the voice said as Kassius felt as if he was losing all his energy. He thought he was finished. He whispered one last thing as his energy was drained. “I release you.”.

As the field disintegrated, the bolts electrocuted Kassius intensely. One bolt equaled a few dozen burning sensations from flame. His insides felt as if they were going erratic, like his very organs were being rearranged and on the verge of bursting. The bolts stopped, and dust and dirt surrounded Kassius. He knelt down on the ground, weak and battered. Burns from the lightning stung at every move, and he couldn’t feel a single limb.

He sat there helpless, but the sounds were still drowned out. He couldn’t hear a thing, only the beating of his heart and his pulses. As he sat there immobile, he felt his heart race and his blood rising ever so slowly. He felt a burning sensation rising from his chest and spreading through his body, as if he were engulfed in fire. He felt his energy coming back and gaining even more, so much so he felt that he would burst from it. He heard footsteps approaching him slowly and heard a voice.

“Looks like I won.” Adonis whispered happily. Before he could pull away from Kassius, he raised his arm and grabbed Adonis’ shirt and pulled him in.

“I’ve only just started.” Kassius said menacingly. He stood up still gripping Adonis’ shirt and moved as if none of the bolts had fazed him at all, let alone hurt him. “How are you still moving!?” Adonis said, while trying to free himself from Kassius' grasp.

“You should be unconscious!” Adonis yelled shaken, as if he had been taken by a monster. Desperate to get away from Kassius, Adonis casted the same spell that knocked him away from him, and knocked himself a few feet away.

“Adonis! Are you okay?” Vivian yelled. “I’m fine, Vivian.” Adonis angrily responded.

“But–” “I’m fine! Focus on beating the forest girl!” Adonis yelled. Vivian stood speechless. Eva turned to see what was happening between Adonis and Kassius, and she was surprised and relieved to see Adonis trembling in fear. She looked to see if Kassius was alright, and she did, however, something didn’t feel right with Kassius, if that was truly him she saw.

“W-w-what are you!?” Adonis struggled to ask. Kassius stood and walked towards Adonis slowly and looked at Adonis. Eva saw everything. The fear in Adonis’ face and his movement, and the bloodlust in Kassius’ eyes. “I’m gonna enjoy this.” Kassius said, with his face smiling with so much glee at the thought.

Kassius’ gauntlet formed into a blade, after it formed it slowly became engulfed in a black aura, as if a cloak of flames had gone over the blade. Kassius’ eyes burned red, blood red. He walked over towards Adonis slowly, while Adonis began casting any spell that he could towards Kassius, to no effect. He walked past each of the spells without a hint of fear, or hint of any other emotion, other than eagerness and excitement, over the fight. He took one big swing with his dark blade and tried to hit Adonis. Adonis was able to dodge in time but not before getting his clothes nicked by the black flames.

The spot that Adonis previously occupied, initially full of bushes and leaves, became nothing but dead plants and barren land. The three stood and witnessed what just happened and they tried to comprehend how Kassius is able to do any of this. Before any more damage could be done to him, Adonis got up and ran straight ahead, with Vivian following. Kassius then gave chase to the two and ran with speed that went beyond what normal humans are capable of. Eva was in shock of what she just saw, full of worry, she pursued Kassius with the intent to knock him unconscious for the rest of the match, to keep him from harming anyone else.