~Marcel View Point~

The next day I woke up rather ravenous as my stomach churned and I felt drained from the lack of energy the souls provided. I groaned and snapped my fingers to turn on the magical lights I stretched and reached for the jar on the oak night stand.

I unscrewed the lid and allowed two of the swirling white masses to escape. I quickly closed the lid and sucked the two souls into my mouth.

The first soul was that of a young child. Not much strength to gain from young souls but it began to hit the spot. The second soul that I consumed was that of an elven folk that died peacefully of old age. “Now that’s more like it.” I liked my lips as the last bits of the soul had faded.

I groaned as I stood up and stretched once more and walked over to the magical wardrobe. I pulled out my typical attire, black pants and no shirt and quickly changed.

As I zipped up my pants Crimson’s voice echoed in my mind, “Come downstairs, guests are arriving.” Her voice was affirmative as she was handling the festival duties quite well. Honestly, I was impressed, though I won’t let her know that.

I grabbed my things and swung the bedroom door open, walking out and slammed it shut.

“I will be there soon.” I responded to her.

My footsteps fell heavy along the hall floors and even heavier as I descended down the marbled stairs. My heart pounded in my chest, just as equally as loud. It wasn’t out of fear but panic as yesterday’s events didn’t go as planned.

“Welcome!” I said with a pearly white smile, as I greeted those already in the castle. “I trust that you all have had a good night’s rest.”

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Murmurs filled the air as some responded with “Could have been better.”

“Not the best night.” Others had said.

Crimson fell instep beside me, “Today is the start of the games.” Crimson said as we walked across the marbled floor. “Each noble house in Summer Crest has one family member that is going to play in the games. Typically the eldest child or parent.”

I nodded, as she explained the games. “Game one, now and arrow. Simple game to see who can hit the target. Those that are the farthest away from the center, will get eliminated.”

“The second game is hide and seek. I have placed five items of the same nature throughout the kingdom. Those who find it advance to the next and final round.”

“The last round will consist of combat. The five remaining will be placed in a ring and the last one standing wins the prize of 1,000 gold.”

As she spoke, she told everyone in the room as the room filled with a representative from each noble house. “Choose your kin that you would like to participate. And have them come find us in by the throne. The games will start once we have all of our participants.”

Ten minutes later we had twenty representatives. Consisting of a variety of races, gender, and age.

“Alright, the games should only take a couple of days. As the fight will take place tomorrow. Once the first competition is complete I will provide details of the next event.”

Crimson’s voice held strong as she delivered the details. She stood firm and proud as I remained silent standing dumbfounded next to her.

The first round of events one target was placed out. Each family was given a different colored arrow and their own turn at the target. One by one they all took their shot. And by the end, twelve participants remained.

And one participant amazed me, as it was a young man that appeared to be fifteen years old human who’s incredible shot sent a wave of shock and amazement through the gathered crowd. And pride on his fathers face. “That’s my boy!” His cheers could be heard over all others. The boys face beamed with pride as he was the only one to hit the center of the target.

Once the event was over an hour later Crimson let them loose into the kingdom to find five golden ducks.

As the day began to come to an end slowly but surely one by one the five finalists appeared with the gold ducks. Two female participants, the young boy, and two other men.

“With darkness falling, rest and tomorrow we will complete the final round!” Crimson announced as the crowd had gathered once more.

Tired and exhausted I found my way back to my bed chambers and instantly found myself asleep.