A hand could be seen pushing upon a button desperately. Waves of pain went through the boy. Over and over again. How long had this been going on for? What was he even doing at this point? He fell down on the floor.
“Do Not.”
“Obey.”
“Listen.”
“Observe.”
“Follow.”
“You must.”
“Uphold the Order.”
“Obey.”
“Obey.”
“Obey.”
“Obey.”
“Our Authority.”
The boy watched the button flash again. The cycle was happening again. He was listening. Just as he was taught. Just as he was meant to do. So why? Why was he continuing to be forced to suffer in this indescribable pain?
He took a few more deep breaths until a pair of arms embraced him from behind. A single saving light within the darkness clouding his sanity.
“It’s been hard hasn’t it? All this fighting, obeying, this sad life you are forced to live. Heed my words, boy. Break free from the chains that hold you down trust in your friends. Trust in those you love. Trust in yourself. Do you understand?”
The button flashed again, and the boy pressed it without a moment of hesitation.
————
For the Fifth Stage, every contestant had been led to their own individual rooms blindfolded. Sorn was told he could leave his area in fifteen minutes.
He counted the seconds, and as he was approaching 900, a bell of ice next to him began to ring. The noise was deafening, and Sorn could only assume that this was his cue to leave.
Stepping out, the first thing he noticed was the new environment. The inner walls of the Palace were dreary, yet they retained an element of vibrant frostiness that was prevalent in the hall before. The ceiling went upwards a distance far higher than what Sorn could jump. He recalled Bjorn’s final words before the blindfolds went on, ‘don’t destroy the Palace.’
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The interior was like a maze, Less so than the Second Stage, but Sorn was still quite lost. Sorn wandered aimlessly for some more time before eventually stumbling upon a large statue. He had seen many like this before, but now giving it a closer look, he noticed it was holding an ax in a certain direction. He remembered the small ax that Oden had given to him in the Fourth Stage.
He began to follow the path marked by the direction of that ax. He eventually stumbled upon another statue. Its ax was thrusted over its shoulder, pointing backwards. Sorn followed that as well. He walked a bit more, only to hear a familiar voice.
”Looks like I found you.”
————
Bjorn sat alone in the middle of the hall on a table. Radan had left, telling Bjorn he only intended to stay for the setup of this game. However, Bjorn was not one for boringness. This round had to signify his strongest element. Pure chaos.
Bjorn: “Things should start to get interesting about now.”
————
Aria was dashing around the halls, eventually stopping to kick a statue.
Aria: “How am I supposed to know where the Hell I’m going!”
————
Neville watched in horror as Raven stroked Flen’s hair.
Raven: “Oh, my little adorable plaything. You beautiful creature. I have truly made perfection out of you.”
Flen’s head was attached to Raven’s small spear. The rest of their body was sprawled on to the floor, their blood making a pool on the floor.
Raven: “Isn’t my cutie Flen adorable.”
Neville nodded, not wanting to be next. Raven threw the head at Neville, who hesitantly caught it, looking down at it with distrust.
Raven: “Let’s go, Leville, There’s a certain someone I’d like to hunt.”
————
Oden walked in the Throne room where Crystal was sitting on top of an unconscious Jester. Oden was impressed. Jester was no ordinary foe, and Crystal seemed to be unharmed. Well, apart from her shoulder, which was slightly scratched.
Oden: “Not very nice to sit on people.”
Crystal: “He attacked me when I didn’t want to fight. Least he could do was use him as a chair. So, how’s the plan looking?”
Oden: “We’re very early. Is the hole-?”
Crystal: “Yep, I checked. Definitely there. What happens if they don’t make it on time?”
Oden: “It happens without them. Remember Crystal. We only get one shot.”
Crystal frowned, but after a moment of thought, she nodded.
Crystal: “Very well. That’s fine by me.”
———
Keilan stood above the outsider. He was on a raised wall, some meters above Sorn. Sorn looked up as he heard the voice, and upon seeing Keilan, he immediately got into a fighting stance. Wisps appeared around his limbs as Keilan jumped down, landing in front of Sorn.
Keilan: “It’s good that you are ready to fight. Let’s end this quickly.”
Sorn took in a deep breath, He had activated his abilities out of instinct, but this is not what he had meant to do if this situation were to occur. Truthfully, he had done quite a bit of preparation for this moment. And now that it was happening, he had to perfect this moment. For himself, but especially for Crystal.
Sorn: “Why are you so insistent on letting yourself be a victim?”
Keilan: “Excuse me?”
Sorn: “Can’t you see? They’re all using you. The Spears, your father, Varian. They only do everything for themselves.”
Keilan gave Sorn a blank stare.
Keilan: “I know of the book Sorn. I know Crystal believes there is some deeper meaning to this sacrifice.
Sorn was both surprised and confused by this information.
Sorn: “Then why-”
Keilan: “Let’s go over the options. Worst case scenario? I follow your simple minded dream and the island falls, and everyone is dead. On the other hand, if it is a lie, we will incur Varian’s wrath. And there is not a single Elemental in this Fortress I can trust to stop him. And if it is a lie, then what’s to say my father won’t avoid trying to kill us for finding out. Do you understand Sorn? I do not follow your pipe dream because it endangers what I cherish. Some things are better left unknown. After I kill you here, I will go and stop whatever farce my sister is trying to pull.”
Sorn had failed terribly. He couldn’t think of a single thing that could convince Keilan’s mind. The book was supposed to be his ultimate card, and even that had failed. Perhaps given time, he could respond appropriately. But at this moment, his mind was blank.
Sorn: “But how do you know where to find Crystal?”
Keilan: “I was raised here. These statues never had axes that pointed in very obvious directions.”
Sorn: “Oh.”
Keilan created a spear, aiming it at Sorn and launching it in a matter of seconds. His ability surpassed most other Spear competitors Sorn had seen. As the spear made its way towards him, a small leg appeared from above it, smashing it downwards. Kaen stood on top of it as it was lodged into the ground. He put his foot off it, standing it between Sorn and Keilan.
Keilan: “What is this about, Kaen?”
Kaen: “Sorry you suicidal freak, but I’ll be finishing you off here before your deadline.”
End.