Tournament opening ceremonies were lively, as the Tournament of the Guard would be hosted by the Dune Prowlers at their headquarters. The locals known this area as a military institute, similar to a university. Jack Bruce was the Principal and Dean, acting as a figurehead of strength knowledge and experience; as stories around Master Bruce are close to the origins of the Trion Titans. Terrance and Ghan were the commentators and presenters of the event, the role of host fell to Jack Bruce.

Staff and faculty were employed by the Military College of the Dune Prowlers headquarters. The Marching band began to play as they entered the stadium, waving flags and popping confetti cones. There was a fade out of sound as the band played, They played a single they were practicing from the previous graduates, showing their talent and mastery of their instruments. Terrance began the announcements as the band played their final note. "That was the Prowler's Academy Band, showing their talents at this momentous event..."

"The Tournament of the Guards!" Blurted out Ghan over the announcer, "Sorry Terrance, I couldn't contain myself, Hello spectators, competitors and sponsors of this prestigious event! My Name is Ghan Evotori, His Majesty of Myd'raal!"

"Yes M'lord, I was about to introduce you!" Terrence cut in, "We have some diverse representatives from across the continent performing today! A chance to win a prestigious role..."

"...Of becoming candidates for the Guardians of the Gatekeeper!" Ghan blurted out, again cutting off Terrance as royalty could, "We have competitors from Myd'raal, Maragarde, and even some wayward souls who survived the dark depths of the Western Kingdom!"

"Yes, Lord Ghan, we have many competitors from their respective realms; some may call it blasphemous, but this is a culture festival that shows our diversity." Terrance added as a reassurance to the spectators.

Knowing there may be differences in each creation, yet the Scions speak of the light in the dark, and the dark that seeks light... Many heil from controversial backgrounds, yet this only shows the depth and breadth the Sion Trinity had created. Once the last line of instrumentalists entered there was a gap soon followed by performers, buskers, and fan groups giving an appealing performance of acrobatics. The Tournament of the Guards doubled as a Cultural festival as well, allowing for sponsorship from all regions of Theros. This had become a sanctioned event of the Scions, and the Temple of the Creators, giving birth to the Guardian's Party. Even the Creators themselves, via the Architects, gave their blessing, by the guidance of the Scions. This was more than just any regular tournament, it could sway the powers that be...

The entertainment was coming to an end, the final march of the Candidates was to follow next. This would follow each competitor with a flag of their heritage and ancestry. With the eight nations being represented as the pillars of Creation, the march of the Guard assembled as faction representatives bearing the flags of the nations. Jasper Wedgewood and Helena Tremere started the two-by-two march with the flag of the Highlands and of Maragarde in their respective hands.

"Well the March of the Guard has begun, we see our neighbors to the north are well represented..." Terrance began his commentary as his signal was the entry of the competitors.

"Yes Terrance, we have the noble Dominion of Highmarsh Hinterlands," Ghan had followed through smoothly as his que was to accompany Terrance's announcements.

"Indeed... There is the beautiful Golden Huntress of Maragarde..."

"Ahh yes... Helena Tremere... a skilled reconnaissance battalion leader, as well a Monarch of the Royal Families in Maragarde." Ghan went on as though he may have been a fan boy.

"Ahem..." Terrance coughed lightly over the commentary. "Yes we have Jasper "The Sapphire Knight" Wedgewood. I highly respected officer of the kingdom of Highmarsh." Terrance introduced the competitor as Ghan regained his senses.

"Now... We have our next candidates from prestigious conglomerates in the Western Kingdom as well as the Wasteland..." Terrance continued his commentary.

"We have Drake Ymirnathezar of the Draconi Kingdom of Rakthorn... A talented user of the lost art of Crystallization!"

"Yes Sir Ymirnathezar is of a clan of ancient Draconi... Now we have an auspicious group from the Western Kingdom..." Terrance led into the next introduction.

"Yes... some may call this group of alliances from the Western Kingdom... questionable, yet they have a strong sense of loyalty and duty to their respective Houses."

"Yuri Helsriche of the Immortal Houses of Vampires, is a new addition to the candidacy this year... This is in accordance with the Scions guidance..."

"We continue the march of the Guard with our next candidates... they heil from such groups as the Deathwalkers or Shadowalkers... "

"David White and Baubari Caitesithe... an interesting pairing in this year's march." Terrance added.

"Next up... last but not least... we have representatives hailing from the Island Empire of Agartha..."

"Carter Willhelm; known as the Turtle Sage of the Myst..."

"and everyone's favorite entertainer... Rosco Le'Mystyrio!!!" Ghan was a fan of the antics and bardistry that made the lovable Ursenthrope a staple at any Upper-end royalty party.

"This concludes the opening ceremonies, ladies and gents! We shall have a short intermission as the Competitors prepare for the upcoming challenges!" Terrance concluded the commentary over the spectators. This would allow the administrative staff of the headquarters to deploy the battles through a draw.

As the competitors were taken to each of their respective Locker rooms; Markus was scarce and nobody seemed to know where he had disappeared to... All except one person, Terrance. Though sworn to secrecy and hoping to hype up the surprise mystery competitor after the semi-finals had concluded. This was all part of Markus' plan making sure his uncle Jack was too busy with public relations that Markus could slip under the radar. Ghan had taken his place in the VIP section of the stadium feeling rested after his long training session with Markus; though still sore from the double workout. The King of Myd'raal was equipped with a mobile PA set in order to give commentary from the side-lines as Terrance overlooked the tournament from the broadcaster's booth.

"All right! Ladies and Gentlemen, and creatures of all ages... I would like to announce the progression of the coming few hours." Terrance was a showman, able to keep the audience's attention as he engaged in the Rulings of the tournament. "The Tournament of the Guard will commence as a Round-Robin event! Allowing all competitors fair chance at the top prizes as well as the eternal glory that follows!"

With a twist of Terrance's hand a flash of light appeared in his hand and shot up into the sky. "Each competitor will be assigned a number and given two chances at making the finals!" The light was a type of firework skill that Terrance was all too proud of; it would fill the immediate area with a mystical fog that displayed the roles and rulings of the Tournament of the Guard. Names began to fill up the space and Competitors were assigned their Numbers out random:

First Match-

#1: Yuri Helsriche VS. #3: Jasper Wedgewood,

Fourth Match-

#6: David White VS. #8: Drake Ymirnathezar

Finals-

Second Match-

#2: Carter Willhelm VS. #4: Helena Tremere,

INTERMISSION Closing Ceremonies & Awards

Third Match-

#5: Rosco Le'Mystyrio VS. #7: Baubari Caitesithe

Semi-Final-

-

"With this announcement, we give some time for the competitors to take their stations and make their entrances within 30 minutes, please take this time to enjoy the facilities and local attractions as we commence the Tournament of the Guard!!" Terrance finished the regulations and announcements and took a deep bow. The crowd was entertained and shared their enthusiasm with an energized applaud as Terrance made his exit. Ghan would begin a bit of background on the first competitors as they slipped on their pennants that marked their line of progression.

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"Competitor #1: Yuri Helsriche, a descendant of the Shadow-forms, yes Yuri is a half-Infernal! A rare sight to see in the Grande Fresen's Tournament of the Guard!" Ghan was no stranger to the Infernals, some would call them Demons or the Fallen. "This year's tournament is sure, one to be excited about and not miss! May the Architechts witness such cultures as the Demons!" Ghan paused before entering into the next announcement.

"Competitor #3: Jasper Wedgewood, a noble Dwarf from the Mountains of Highmarsh. This skilled warrior has been in service to his kingdom in Exile for unknown reasons... So goes the Legend of the Sapphire Knight! Yes Sir Wedgewood is that Blue Knight that accompanied the Trion Titans in the Kaiser Wars!"

The two men entered the arena as the timer began, each match was allotted two hours for each participant to express their battle savvy. One of the senior staff of the Dune Prowlers would be a stand in referee, watching for out of bounds or such trivial things as emergency medic if someone were to be near death. This was a no holds bar tournament to advertise the diversity that lives in Grande Fresen.

"Now I want a clean match! Ya hear! No underhanded poisons or instant kills alright?" The referee's voice was as scruffy as Jack's, one could tell this man had the battle scars to prove his adeptiveness. "If you step outside the arena you are disqualified, you can use any aerial attacks as long as they end up on the arena, if both competitors are out of bounds there is a 30 countdown to come back... Now all the technical crap is outta the way... First Match competitor #1 vs. Competitor #3... FIGHT!!"

Yuri and Jasper started by reading each other, waiting for a que to action, staring down each other gathering their energies. A Demi-human against the Sapphire Knight Dwarf of the lands of Highmarsh, this match would be an interesting one...

From the lands of Mount Highmarsh, this Highland Dwarf is the one known as the Sapphire Knight, that wields his mighty Hammer-Edge enchanted with Runic magics, a specialty of the Dwarven race. Jasper is well versed in these regions of skill; Enchantment and Enforcement, Heavy Armored Tank, Life and Stamina build, High Offense and Defense, Intimidation and Aggression. Runic Magics, only known to the Dwarven Empires... Jasper was a dark skinned man with a long silken like black facial hair that flowed into a magnificent beard. As is well known with the Dwarven races; they possess the strength and power of a 1000 men of average build and stature. One cautionary skill of Jasper's is his transformation of Drunken' Demon. Will the skills of Yuri Helsriche be enough for this powerhouse?

Yuri is a Demi-human (half demon) with the Powers and Ritualistic abilities that come with the Demon race and their never ending quest to collect souls. Blessed by Hellfire a cursed child that was given tools to bind his demonic urges through the cursed weapons he possessed... The Sword of Witness and the Staff of Destructive Power... given a Tome of the Homunculi to enable his urges to be satiated. With the ever pulling grip of the Satchel of Styx, this Demi-human was never far from death. Jasper Wedgewood had one hell of a force to encounter, one slip up and the Demi-human Yuri will certainly take advantage of the match.

The men began to circle counter-clockwise on the stage, making every step count as they wielded their respective weapons. Yuri, being half-demon, would make the first move. With a burst of energy, Yuri lifted his Staff of Destructive Power filling it with his mana. The staff began to glow a fiery orange and shone like a burnt out star... The wave of energy that collected would be unleashed as Yuri slammed the end of his staff on the ground making a tremor open up part of the stage. Though it was not deep enough to destroy the stage, it would surely bury a dwarf if trapped inside. Jasper was quick for a heavy set man, he summoned energy to his legs forcing his feet to submerge into the stage as the tremor began to open just in front of the Sapphire Knight.

The tremor did not stop shaking the ground and began to heat up as a large mana infused lava rushed down the crevasse and into the now fiery tomb that sat at the feet of Jasper. With a quick leap this nimble dwarf evaded a burial by lava. Yuri was a silent man throughout the match he only hoped to curse the Sapphire Knight, with a short chant 'Infernal Sarcophagus' a huge wave of energy was released by Yuri and sent down through the lava making it boil up and splash nearby. Suddenly one large eruption and a lava burst turned into a demonic looking casket, covered in flames. Yuri flipped to a page in his Tome of the Homunculi, moving his sword in the air mimicking a magic circle that formed above the casket. The magic fell upon the top of the casket and worked its way down to the feet, as it did so a form began to take shape in the darkness, almost charred to the point it looked to be made of coal in a humanoid form. There was little detail to give away other than the charred body was slender and tall, with proportions similar to a female. Yuri chanted out, 'Ashwraithe Homunculus' the burned Ashwraithe wailed in a screeching pain that it pierced the ears of Jasper and the referee, who simply shook it off after a moment of daze. Yuri smiled...

Jasper was finally ready to go on the offensive, with his hammer-edge enchanted with holy runes, this would be more than enough to fend of the homunculus. The Ashwraithe moved quickly letting out shrieks or cackles that would deafen any who were too close. Moving like a shadow the Ashwraithe spotted an opening letting out a shriek in order to daze or confuse the dwarf. The Sapphire Knight was all too well familiar with the cursed souls of Demons, the Homunculi all had been damned souls that had reached to far, and Yuri would collect making his Tome of Homunculi grow with each soul. Jasper pulled out runic smoke bombs and elemental traps, setting them up at the four corners of his stance, the Ashwraithe appeared just behind Jasper's right shoulder coming down with a deathly claw that burned to the touch setting any flammable material ablaze. A quick turn of his body, and Jasper summoned the strength of his ancestors, swinging the hammer-edge at the Ashwraithe which narrowly evaded the edge, cutting part of the shoulder of her. A painful scream was let out that shook the mind of those within the first row of the arena, people passing out, having bleeding noses, or massive headaches of screeching noises. Jasper was prepared for the Psychic burst, snapping his fingers, one of the runic traps activated and floated up, heating up as the stored mana was being unleashed, Jasper turned once more to his left, and hit the rune with the hammer end of his weapon. Like a speeding bullet the runic trap lodged itself inside the Ashwraithe's chest, unleashing all the energy stored in the runic magic blessed by holy water exploding in a flash of light that disintegrated the Ashwraithe.

Yuri used much of his mana, to summon his newest homunculi, knowing there could be setbacks, yet he was glad it did the job tasked to the soul. Yuri closed the tome, reached to his waist where his Sword of the Witness rested. Dark energy gathered at his hand as he grabbed the hilt, summoning a black fog like haze that shrouded his presence. Jasper lost scent of the demi-human, it was time to charge up his runic trap that unlocked a hidden power within the mighty Dwarf... Drunken' Daemon. Yuri was agile and stealthy, Sword of the Witness allowed him to move freely undetected when activated. It drained slowly away at the demi-human's sanity, though it would take many souls and decades of experience would be filled into the demi-human's vessel. A slash from the left-low... grazed Jasper's exposed thigh, leaving a burning sensation as the wound was also burned by hellfire.

Jasper did not flinch, as another slash of burning hellfire cut his opposite thigh, again at the elbows, shoulders, and waist. Still the Dwarf did not flinch, sending an air of unnerving aura across the stage, Yuri was flinching. Then a swell of energy filled Jasper up making his body heated as well charged with mana. The sapphire knight whispered 'Highland Furious Rage', sudden burst of energy surged into each limb of the dwarf making him bulk up to twice his original size, letting out a warcry "HIGHMARSH HUZZAH!" He moved like lightening setting off a wave of energy that dissipated Yuri's smoke screen. There was no hiding from the enraged Dwarf now, even with such demonic speed, it was hard for Yuri to out maneuver Jasper. 'Tri-Mark Rune: Prisim!' shouted the Dwarf moving at blistering speed almost leaving an after image in three distinctive positions... where he place the runic traps earlier... With a mighty spin that rotated at least thrice, all after-images copied this same maneuver... Yuri was not prepared for such an onslaught so early in the tournament... Jasper planted three hammer-edge blows directly to the torso of Yuri; knocking the air out of him and sending holy rites through his mind, incapacitating him...

"Match Over! Winner: Competitor #3 - JASPER WEDGEWOOD!" The announcer called the match, as service workers showed up to take Yuri to Paramedics and repaired the stage within moments.