The days dwindled, and a palpable tension shrouded the peaceful streets of Enchanted Heights. Champions, both seasoned and new, continued their daily routines, each anticipating the impending full moon. The veterans harbored a tense reservation, while the inexperienced cautiously prepared, seemingly indifferent to the tales of old.
Vaeril paced around his office, a frown souring his handsome visage. The elf halted intermittently, gazing through the open window, his frown deepening.
“Sir, their numbers are increasing,” remarked a canine, one of the seven champions present in the office.
“They're already over three hundred,” added a human champion with a frown. “What exactly are they up to?”
The representatives collectively turned toward the sizable crowd gathering a few miles away from the administrative building.
“Vaeril, what should we do?” a lizardman inquired, her eyes nervously shifting from the assembling crowd to the agitated representative.
“Should we send someone over to inquire about what's going on?” a human champion suggested.
“We tried that already,” the canine replied. “They are still refusing to talk.” He sighed, massaging his temples. “The most infuriating thing is that we can't do anything about it. There are no rules against it.”
The room fell silent. The gathering had commenced just a couple of hours ago with a sparse number of champions, neither exchanging words nor acknowledging each other. However, more champions emerged from different directions as the day progressed, and their numbers continued to swell.
Not only that, but residents also gathered at intervals, driven by their curiosity.
“I don't know what they're doing, but I have a bad feeling about this,” Vaeril broke the silence, turning toward his companions. “I'll seek an audience with the examiner; maybe we'll be able to find out what's going on.”
Barely seconds after Vaeril's statement, a human pointed toward the window, saying, “Wait, isn't that Thmaz and his crew? Why are they here?”
Vaeril and the other representatives turned toward the populated street, where indeed over fifty canines approached in confident strides. The canine leading the group had nothing remarkable about him, except for the series of tattoos adorning his neck.
Even the hero of Nuta is here. Vaeril’s frown deepened. What exactly is going on?
The elf pondered silently before turning his attention to a representative. “Dean,” he called out. “Go down there and ask them what’s going on. I’m sure Thmaz will cooperate with us.”
The champion nodded and swiftly departed from the room. Simultaneously, Vaeril shifted his focus to the crowd beyond the fences.
“Depending on what Dean is able to find out, I’ll decide whether or not to contact Lord Hazazeelem,” Vaeril muttered.
The representatives observed in silence as Dean hurriedly approached the canine party, exchanging a few words with some canines but unable to reach Thmaz at the front.
A moment later, Dean returned to the office. “So?” Vaeril anxiously asked. “Why didn’t they let you meet Thmaz?”
The exasperated champion took a breath before explaining, “They said the examiner ordered it.”
Confusion and a myriad of emotions twisted the countenances of the representatives. “What does that even mean?” a lizardman commented.
“Did they say anything else?” Vaeril inquired. “Maybe I’ll be able to find out more if I go down there myself.”
“I doubt that,” Dean replied after a pause. “They said we should ignore the commotion and continue with our business. According to them, any interference from our end will only make matters more complicated.”
“Damn it!” Vaeril slammed his fists on the table, shattering the sturdy wood into two equal halves. The table instantly repaired itself and returned to normal. The elf took a deep breath and prepared to speak again, but a system message suddenly appeared.
Don’t interfere!
Vaeril stared at the two words, subconsciously turning toward the crowded streets. What exactly is going on? He pondered for a moment before turning toward his companions. “Return to your stations. No matter what, don’t involve yourselves in whatever is going on out there.”
A canine stepped forward. “Um, but…” he paused, Vaeril’s deathly cold eyes turning in his direction.
“Do your work. Then go home. For your own good, don’t meddle in matters beyond your capabilities.” The elf’s cold eyes shifted from one champion to the other. “You may all leave.”
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The group hesitated for a moment, sharing awkward glances. No one knew who moved first, but one after the other, they exited the room. Vaeril remained in the same position, his cold eyes shifting between the diverse crowd on either side of the street.
It’s understandable the canines and the survivors of Varkham are rallying under Thmaz’s command, Vaeril thought as he observed the predominantly canine party. Then, he turned his attention toward the other group. “But who the hell is leading them? I can’t even begin to explain why they would even work together."
Unlike the canine party, the opposing group had at least one representative from each of Enchanted Heights’ numerous races.
Vaeril drew in another deep breath, shaking his head as he collected his thoughts. The elf tore his gaze away from the crowd and settled into his chair. Whatever this is, I want no part in it. I'll do my job and then go home. Hopefully, by tomorrow morning, this madness will be over.
Subconsciously, Vaeril turned towards the crowd again, his gaze flickering between the two groups. I wonder which of them will survive this madness.
Minutes passed, and the number of champions on each side of the street gradually increased. Unlike earlier, news of the gathering had spread throughout the city, and curious residents had, at one point or another, spectated and debated on the matter. However, most onlookers simply watched for a few minutes before retreating to their homes. After all, everyone knew the significance of the impending night.
The skies slowly turned reddish-gray, and an icy wind, reminiscent of mournful ghouls, heralded the night. Dazzling lights illuminated the mostly desolate streets, and an eerie silence hung over Enchanted Heights. The full moon's outline peeked through the mesh of bloodied gray skies, as if foretelling what was to come.
Representatives from the administrative buildings exited in large numbers, many walking with bowed heads, while a few cautiously observed the opposing groups. The multiracial crowd had swelled beyond any gathering in the city's famed yet brief history.
There's going to be a massacre here tonight, Vaeril sighed softly, raising his head toward the skies. How many people will survive tonight? He sighed once more before quickening his pace.
In no time, the representatives and curious onlookers had retreated to their homes. The two groups remained at opposite ends of the street, bathed in the silver moonlight.
Although the gates leading to the administrative buildings remained open, no one willingly approached the deserted area.
The trial will begin at midnight! All champions interested in partaking in the trial are advised to step out from their respective homes! Champions will have until one hour before midnight to indicate their intentions! All status restrictions will be lifted an hour before midnight! All rules and regulations will be suspended at midnight!
The system notification flashed before every champion in the city. In succession, the lights in numerous residential buildings dimmed, with most vanishing seconds after the message.
Oxxi, positioned close to Thmaz, took measured steps toward the opposing side, halting at the center of the road.
“Hasn’t this charade gone on long enough?” He remarked, arms akimbo. “I get the newcomers lacking fear, but the rest of you should know better. You understand how cruel the trial is.” Two steps forward, a pause. “I can’t fathom why you’re doing this, or why you'd throw away the lives you've painstakingly cultivated.”
The champions glanced at the robust canine but quickly averted their gazes. Instead, their attention remained fixated on crimson wisps rising over twenty feet into the air from the buildings and roads.
Unlike before, a hint of fear clouded the champions' expressions; some subconsciously bit their lips, while others clenched their fists.
The canine party, however, maintained an air of confidence bordering on arrogance.
Oxxi gestured toward the ethereal cluster thickening by the second. “In case you've forgotten, those creatures will be here any moment now. There’s time to end this and return home.”
He took a step forward. “You should've realized Lord Hazazeelem is displeased. Don’t make it worse.”
Muffled laughter echoed, and all eyes turned to Llorva, who hid behind an elf while suppressing her giggles.
“I’m sorry, don’t mind me,” she said, struggling to stifle her laughter. “Please go on with what you were saying.”
Oxxi frowned. Is she making light of this situation? He scanned the group; many champions either smiled or ignored the canine party. Why did they gather here? Did they uncover a hidden map or something? Oxxi narrowed his gaze, spotting champions focusing on the administrative area with longing.
A thought struck him, and his disposition changed. Could they be planning to raid the administrative building? Oxxi turned to his companions, his lips trembling silently.
The canine expressions changed; Thmaz stepped forward, approaching Oxxi gently. Like Oxxi, he stopped midway, his gray eyes lingering on a few champions. “Who's your leader?” his deep voice rang without shouting.
Silence followed, Llorva and the champions still focused on the deserted buildings.
Thmaz chuckled, shaking his head. He took another step forward. “Contrary to what you may think, I have no intentions of dissuading or convincing you. I won’t stop you from making your decision.”
This time, a few champions turned toward the canine. Thmaz scratched his tattoos, a thin smile parting his lips. “That unyielding look in your eyes even in the face of absolute power, I know it well.” Thmaz smiled, pointing at his men. “That’s the same look we had when we resolved to fight for our freedom. But what I can’t understand is why anyone would want to leave a genuine paradise like this. There are no wars, strife, robbing, or killing. Everyone is equal, paid, and catered for as long as they follow the rules. Those who wish to leave are free to take the trial, as long as they’re capable, they’re free to go. Why would anyone want to leave such a place?”
Several canines shook their heads, appearing as bemused as their leader. Thmaz then pivoted back toward the champions. This time, his smile had vanished. “I have absolutely no interest in whatever nonsense you have planned,” he declared, taking another step forward. His soulless eyes shifted from one champion to the other. “You're free to do as you please. However, not even your gods can shield you from me if you threaten to turn my paradise into hell.” He pointed at the copious mists taking form. “Rest assured, not even them would be enough to spare you from my wrath.”
All status restrictions lifted