Chapter 8: The Serpent's Mist
Date: 14-11-400
Location: Astragar Colosseum, Yuravan Kingdom
The wild beast simulation was in chaos. Ground cracked, beasts shrieked, and spells echoed like thunder across the arena.
At the center of it all stood Nile Zephyrions — unmoving, unreadable.
"Vealsari," he said calmly. "Confuse them."
From the shadow of a shattered boulder, the serpent appeared — long and spectral, its silver-blue scales glimmering with ethereal sheen. It slithered silently, then rose like smoke.
Vealsari opened its jaws.
Mist poured out.
The wild beasts paused, twitched, then began to move erratically. Their instincts scrambled. Packs broke formation. Some attacked shadows. Others ran in circles. All of them… were no longer in control.
Nile stepped forward, his eyes razor-sharp.
One by one, he dismantled the chaos.
"Beast thirty-five… thirty-six… Thirty-eight."
His movements were surgical, elegant, and terrifying.
"Score Update!" the commentator shouted as the final horn blew.
"Nile Zephyrions — 423 points, 41 beasts down!"
"The highest score this year! Well, well... and it's only match three of Round Two. Let's see how long that record lasts!"
The crowd roared. Nile didn't wave. He simply walked off the field.
[Scene: Arena Seating – Arnox and Ruby]
Arnox see nile with a small smirk as Ruby watched Nile's retreating figure.
Then Nile appeared behind them, eyes narrowed.
"So," he said, What!!, "you talk to girls now too?"
Arnox nearly choked.
"No—I mean yes—just shut up, Nile."
Nile grinned.
Arnox serious
"Can we talk somewhere quieter?"
Nile Sarcastically
"You love pea—"
"Confidential," Arnox interrupted sharply.
Ruby blinked.
"Pea?" she asked.
Arnox turned away, eyes narrowing.
"It's nothing."
"Your match isn't today," Nile added, changing topics. "Match 67, right?"
"Exactly. We've got time."
[Scene: Quiet Overlook – West Corridor, Stadium]
They found an empty overlook — old stone seats, faded banners, and silence far from the roaring crowd.
Arnox gestured toward Ruby.
"She knows about Round Three."
Nile raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.
"So you're the spy now?"
"Honestly," Arnox said, "I think she could outmatch even you in intel."
"Is that so?" Nile turned to her. "Lady Ruby?"
"I'm not a spy," Ruby replied, cheeks flushed. "I'm Ruby Auralith. From the Auralith Clan."
"Zephyrions," Nile replied with a short nod. "Nile. Let's skip titles."
"Alright," she said softly. "What I'm about to say… I overheard it. From warriors who participates in the Trial of Vaga this year."
They both leaned forward.
"Round Three is a survival-based event. It's called the Biome Cycle. It lasts seven days."
"Seven?" Arnox echoed.
Ruby nodded.
"You form a team. Minimum three, maximum five. Once inside — no help. No outside contact. No supplies. No water. No food. No magic scrolls. Nothing. You survive or you fall."
"What's the terrain?" Nile asked.
Ruby's eyes sharpened.
"There are four biomes:
1. A 12-kilometer sand desert.
2. The Wildforest, filled with Yuravan's native beasts.
3. A 4-kilometer lake — part boiling, part frozen.
4. A 15-kilometer frozen wasteland."
Silence.
Then Nile chuckled softly.
"I don't think your pride will let you cheat, Arnox."
"Is gathering intel cheating?" Arnox countered.
"Not at all. A warrior should know the battlefield," Nile admitted.
"And I didn't steal it," Ruby added quickly. "I just listened."
Arnox looked thoughtful.
"We'll need more members."
"No," Nile said firmly. "More people means more risk. Betrayal. Panic. Mistakes."
"But only three teams win that round," Ruby reminded. "First, second, and third."
"Which means… speed is everything," Arnox muttered.
They all glanced at one another.
Ruby noticed the hesitation in their eyes.
"I won't slow you down," she said quietly.
"I didn't mean it like that," Arnox replied instantly.
"We just… spaced out," Nile added, a little embarrassed.
"I promise," she said again, "I won't be a burden."
Arnox smiled.
"I trust you."
Nile raised an amused eyebrow at Arnox.
"Your match is tomorrow, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
Nile turned away slightly, lips curled in challenge.
"Good. Because now I really want to see… what the 'Spark of Arakan' looks like in battle."
To Be Continued…