Chapter 10: Before the Storm
Date: 17-11-400
Location: Astragar, Yuravan Kingdom
The sun filtered through the glass domes of Lappis Plaza. The rank announcement was hours away, but tension already filled the air.
—
[Scene: Lappis Plaza – Lounge]
Nile leaned forward on the couch.
"So Ruby, about your score… I'm still shocked."
Ruby smiled.
"I live in the mountains, remember? Fighting beasts of all kinds is part of daily training. Every Auralith child is raised that way."
Arnox stretched.
"Let me guess, we're still talking rankings?" He looked at Nile. "Still salty about finishing last in our trio?"
Nile rolled his eyes.
"It's not about pride—"
Arnox cut in.
"Sure, sure."
Ruby looked between them, hands clasped.
"Anyway… are you both still in for the team-up?"
Arnox blinked.
"Didn't we settle that yesterday in the stadium?"
Nile nodded.
"Yeah, we're in."
Arnox yawned.
"Cool. I'm heading to my room. I'm tired."
Ruby stood.
"I thought we were going for a walk."
Nile smirked.
"Arnox is dumb at this kind of thing, isn't he?"
Ruby didn't respond, but her silence was telling.
Arnox turned, frowning.
"What did I do this time? You're ranked 7, by the way."
Nile grinned.
"So now it's about ranks?"
Arnox sighed.
"Let's go, Nile."
Nile followed, hands in pockets.
"I'm staying here too, remember? We'll meet again on rank day."
"Roger that," said Ruby.
—
[Scene Change – 17-11-400, Colosseum – Rank Announcement Day]
The crowd gathered beneath glowing banners.
Commentator:
"Now presenting the Top 5 Rankings of the Wild Beast Hunt!"
Rank 5:
The Beastfolk
Ursus Maritimus
The White Bear of the Northern Shadow
Rank 4:
The Forest Elf
Lyrenya Aerasyl
The Grove's Fallen Light
Rank 3:
The Human
Ruby Auralith
The Gem of Auralith
Rank 2:
The Angel
Lenslot Morningstar
The Rising Prince of the Angels
Rank 1:
The Human
Klein Vale
The Iceberg of the Vale
Pride of Yuravan's Finest Warrior Clan
—
Commentator (cont'd):
"And that's the final list, folks! The third round begins on 20-11-400. What awaits us? Rumors whisper of a battleground… a challenge for fifty. But we'll know soon enough!"
—
[Scene: Outside the Colosseum]
Ruby frowned.
"Klein Vale… number one, huh."
Arnox blinked.
"You know him?"
Ruby folded her arms.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten. Three years ago — Yuravan Fort. He kept teasing me, and you stepped in to stop him."
Arnox scratched his head.
"Did I?"
Nile leaned forward.
"So even Lenslot Morningstar showed up this year…"
Arnox crossed his arms.
"Yeah, even I know that name. He's a prince, isn't he?"
Nile smirked.
"So now you admit it?"
Arnox chuckled.
"Just a guess."
Nile raised an eyebrow.
"Ruby, don't you think Arnox is hopeless?"
Ruby looked away.
"Sometimes."
—
[A new voice cut through the air.]
"Hey, Little Spark... and Museum Stone."
Arnox and Nile turned, expressions sharpening.
Nile growled.
"Who the hell—"
Arnox snapped,
"Apologize to Ruby. And Nile."
Ruby sighed.
"This is Klein Vale."
Nile narrowed his eyes.
"So you're the child who doesn't know when to shut up."
Arnox shook his head.
"I don't remember you. But you're annoying."
Klein scoffed.
"Ruby, can you stop them?"
Ruby smiled faintly.
"They have a strong sense of pride."
Klein smirked, but hesitated.
"Okay, okay. Sorry. I actually came to talk to you, Arnox. It's been a while."
Arnox shrugged.
"Still don't remember you."
Klein's eye twitched.
"You literally zapped me back then!"
Arnox crossed his arms.
"What do you want?"
"I was gonna invite you to my team but—"
"I refuse," Arnox said without blinking.
Klein blinked.
"You what?"
Nile chuckled.
"You didn't know about Round 3, huh?"
Klein's grin faltered.
"Wait—how do you know?"
Arnox waved him off.
"We've got it covered."
Klein glanced at Nile.
"And you are?"
"Nile Zephyrions," Nile said coolly.
"Noble house. Westlands of the United Kingdom of Western Continent."
Klein smirked.
"So you three — a fallen warrior, a forest elf, and a researcher. Cute."
Arnox stepped forward.
"Take that back."
Ruby held up a hand.
"Arnox. I'm proud to be a forest guard."
Nile added,
"Researcher or not — I know more than most generals."
Arnox glared.
"Don't talk to us again."
Klein clicked his tongue and turned.
"As if I care."
—
[Scene Shift – Skygarden Restaurant, Private Balcony]
Lenslot Morningstar sipped from a crystal glass, his white-gold uniform pristine. Across from him sat Lyrenya Aerasyl, calm and poised.
Voices murmured from other tables.
"Are they teaming up?"
"An angel and an elf…?"
"Round 3 just got more dangerous."
—
(Narrator):
"And thus… Round 2 ends without much trouble for our heroes. But will Round 3 be so simple?"
"No. It will test more than strength — it will challenge loyalty, instinct, and survival itself."
"The number of contenders drops from 250 to 50. Many races, many nations… all chasing one goal: glory in the Trial of Vaga."
"Who will endure the next stage? And who will fall?"
"Only time will tell."
To Be Continued...