The last few months pass by with Alatar and Mira finishing preparing for the Gauntlet, with the Iron Queen signing them up as an anonymous benefactor so they could attend appropriately. Alatar wearing a formal long coat with a red dragon wrapped around a blue diamond. Underneath the coat is a formal attire woven with durable fabric and chainmail, and brown gloves on his hands. Alatar requested a black vulture insignia on the right top of his glove. He finishes tying his black boots. The front and back have metal plating to help against impact.

Mira walks ahead of him in her midnight black dress, intricately laced with pinkish-tan patterns. A hairpiece with the same design as the symbol on Alatar's coat sparkles in the sun. Mira smiles at Jaida, and Alatar shakes Damadar's hand and nods at Foster. Before letting go, Damadar hands Alatar his old flintlock pistol. "Elisa found this a while ago inside his inn. He got it fixed up for you as a surprise." Alatar gives his thanks as they get into a carriage, sitting on opposite sides of each other as they ride toward the capital of the Iron Kingdom.

Mira looked out the window, then glanced at Alatar, who was as emotionless as always. "Alatar? How do you feel about all of this?" He looks at her. "Whatever it is will win, as simple as that." Mira sneered as she couldn't help but smile. She thinks about all the training that Alatar has been doing, from warfare tactics with Damadar and Elisa. All the way to his workout regime. "Confident, are we?" She asks with a purr. Alatar looks at Mira. "No, not at all."

Mira rolls her eyes. "I see you haven't gotten any humor this entire year." Alatar looks outside as he thinks to himself. "In secret, I've been practicing the control of Vorgrimm's power. I hate to admit it, but it wasn't as complicated as I thought. Is it because my body has adapted to Vorgrimm's soul since childhood?" He clenches his fist in frustration as he contemplates what this could mean for him. A wave of anger moves effortlessly through his body like the blood in his veins, soothing and comforting him.

Mira looks at him, shaking as he seems lost in thought. She reaches over and grabs his hand, slightly surprised as he stares at her in bewilderment. "What's wrong?" She says, looking him directly in the eyes. Seeing the rage flowing through him. "I'm fine. Just make sure you're ready, princess." He says, gently grabbing her hand and removing it from his. "I appreciate the concern, but I don't need your pity." Mira didn't quit as she moved over to sit next to him. "We are a team, but you barely speak to me. You honestly barely speak to anyone."

Alatar looks at her and leans in close as he whispers to her. "You don't want to get to know me, Mira. My only objective is vengeance. Nothing more, nothing less." Mira shakes her head as she looks him up and down. "I don't believe that. You wouldn't have saved me if your only purpose was that." Alatar eyes narrow as he sighs. "If I tell you this one thing, will you cool off for now?"

Mira puffs her cheeks, thinking, "Sounds like a deal to me!" She says, accidentally letting the excitement escape her voice at the end. Alatar looks at his hands. "My father was a guard at the village I once lived in. He was courageous, kind, and strong. He wasn't some talented swordsman. Just an ordinary man living an everyday life protecting his people. " Clenching his fists. "He told me that I would guard the village and protect those who cannot protect themselves, and you know what happened to him? He went and got himself killed."

Feeling horrible, Mira starts to speak and apologize for pestering him about it, but Alatar continues talking, not letting her speak until he's done. "I won't carry on his will, protect everyone, and be this world's protector. I'm not some optimistic asshole. But I will spare someone the same fate I went through." Mira holds Alatar's hand. "Thank you for sharing something like that. I don't know how you feel, but I will no longer bother you with questions." Alatar unclenches his fist, letting her hold his hand. "I..." He tries to form words, but none can leave his mouth. A slight feeling sparks in his soul. Something he has not felt in a very long time. The spark is snuffed out as quickly as it appeared. The monster that is rage eats it.

Their carriage pulls up to this imposing edifice, adorned with intricate carvings, stunning towers, and sweeping arches that appear to reach the heavens. Dire wolves, Bear-like Owls, Phoniex, and Dragons are all carved into the façade of the building, lending an air of power to the building. Massive metal gates with ornate metal open up, allowing the carriage in as they see four statues that symbolize the four kingdoms. Coming to a stop, Alatar gets out and looks up the staircase. He helps Mira down as they enter.

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The doors open up by themselves as a host bows towards them. He is a tall, slender man with a receding hairline. "Welcome Princess Mira. We've been so eager for your arrival. You are the first royals from the Diamond Kingdom to have joined the Gauntlet in almost 200 years!" Mira smiled and said, "Thank you. We are expecting great things." She says with an aura of confidence in her. Alatar takes notice of her change in attitude; he remains quiet as he follows behind them with his left hand on the hilt of his sword.

The interior of the Gauntlet halls is intricately designed and adorned with banners with sigils of each Kingdom that lead to their own personal chambers. They enter the central hub of the Gauntlet. Music is heard throughout as Mira looks in awe as she is taken by the scenery. The atrium is bathed in a beautiful light that filters through stained glass, depicting great battles from each kingdom. The stained glass at the center shows all kingdoms banding together and facing off a dark entity. "Alatar, the Broken War..." She says in pure amazement. "That was barely before my time! The war where the world banded together to face a threat!" Alatar looks at what she's talking about, then at the other participants as they mingle among themselves and what looks to be spectators for the Gauntlet.

Dressed in brown & green loose-fitted tunics, the royals of the Brown Kingdom have vine-like patterns formed into their attire with headbands adorned with feathers and gems. "Three females, two males." He says as he looks around, finding the Gold Kingdom's participants dressed in elaborate but finely embroidered robes that look to be of silk in deep gold with shades of royal purple with the symbol of the Phoenix on their shoulders and intricately designed collars around their necks. "One female, four males."

He follows Mira as she gasps in surprise. "Archduke Cunningham?!" She says quickly, walking towards a short, heavy-set man with a white beard. The man turned around and smiled widely as he saw Mira giving her a hug. "Your Majesty! How are you dear?! I haven't heard from you in ages! You've gotten so big!" He says as he puts her down. "And rather stunning, I may add!" Cunningham's smile shrinks almost to a frown as he looks at Alatar. "Is this your Shadow?" He says he is not able to make eye contact with Alatar. Mira nods with a proud smile. "Yes, he entirely is! A very magnificent fighter." Cunningham clears his throat and reaches out for a handshake with Alatar. "I am ArchDuke Cunningham of the Diamond Kingdom."

Alatar looks at him, then at Mira, as he goes to shake his hand. Squeezing it firm enough to hurt him. "Say, what Kingdom do you hail from?" He asks Alatar. "Bronze...sir." He says, trying to sound professional. Mira looks amused behind Cunningham, annoying Alatar. Cunningham looks shocked. "A Shadow from the Bronze? You must be quite the beast then!" Alatar gives him a nod as he bids Mira and him a farewell. As he walks away, Alatar sees a new group walking into the hub.

They have sleek, form-fitting armor with advanced reinforced metals. They have incorporated gears and modular components into the armor as well. Some have holsters on their sides and backs where Alatar believes pistols or rifles will be. They walk with helmets with the shape of an owl head in their arms with a glass visor over them. A spike of rage pounds into Alatar as he smells it. "Three females, two males." He says as they walk past him. The male in the front looks at Alatar. His golden eyes burn into Alatar as he brushes his white hair from his face. He raises his pointed chin as he looks Alatar over. "You are?" He asks, unimpressed.

Alatar glares down at him. His hand gripping the hilt tighter as the three females move forward. "He is my Shadow. How do you do, Prince Xeriah?" Mira says, getting in between the two. He looks at Mira with a sly smirk. Alatar notices that it's similar to his father. Xeriah grabs Mira's hand and slowly kisses it. "Mira, seeing such a beauty like yourself in my presence is a pleasure. I am delighted that the Diamond Kingdom is joining the Gauntlet this year..." He hesitates a moment. "Say, why did you go through an anonymous benefactor? Surely your family could've paid." He says, getting too close for Mira's comfort. Alatar notices and gently moves Mira out of the way.

Before Xeriah could say anything, the crowd murmured as they moved toward their seats inside the ballroom. He moves with his group, passing Mira. "Control your beast before I have to clip his wings." Alatar doesn't respond as he walks away, and the three women glare at him. Mira sighs. "It'll be fine, Alatar. Did you smell...you know." Alatar nods. "Demon."