42 Meeting an old acquaintance

It's been a an hour since Konstantin cleared the stage and people started coming out of the cave and waiting right beside the entrance.

The second one to appear was Seath as he came out and when he only saw Konstantin, he just sat there and waited while also pretending to not notice him.

After him came the old dawrf woman and her desciple as they casually walked around but then just as they were about to ignore the people around, the old woman saw Konstantin and immediately yelled at him, "So they sent the stupid boy here. I hope they sent Olenna with you or I'll have a lot of trouble dealing with the mess you surely created around here".

Konstantin glanced at the old dwarf woman and was shocked as he saw her,"Granny Kathy! what you doing here?"

the old woman named Kathy smiled and replied, "I came here to help you of course. The branch in Adratram asked for our help and since I was the nearest to this location I decied to come meet you children since you all didn't visit me for almost ten years now"

Konstantin scratched the back of his head while smiling akardly and said, "Granny it's not like we didn't want to but with all of us now working full time, we had no time to go back home and see you".

Kathy stared at him and hmphed, "then why was Olenna able to visit each year while you and that silent bunny never came. Don't try to make excuses"

Konstantin couldn't say anything and just stood there akwardlly as he listened to the woman beratting him. Finally, after a full session of of nagging, she decided to stop and pointed at the young woman beside her and said, "Anyways. Konstantin meet my new desciple Gwendoline. She has some talent so I took her in 5 years ago".

the taned woman didn't wait for Konstantin and spoke first, "Nice to meet Mister Konstantin. I heard a lot about you from Master".

Konstantin: "I never expected granny to take in another disciple after all these years. You must be really talented for her to decide and go back to teach again".

"thank you for the compliment".

"Yeah yeah. talk later. Where are Olenna and Abart?" Kathy decided to interrupt them and asked him.

Konstantin shook his head and said,"I got separated from Olenna when the trial begun but I'm sure she's alright as for Abrat..."

just as he was about to continue, another voice interrupted him, "Well, well, if it isn't my dear friend Konstantin. Even old Hag Katherine. This is a big reunion. How many years have we not met like this" Rey remarked sarcastically.

Kathy turned and looked at Rey for a second and didn't say anything. Her face turned blank and then yelled angrily, "Rey!! you dare to show your face here in front of me!"

A hammer suddenly appeared in her hand and she threw it diretly towards his face.

Rey got serious and used his power as he caught the hammer thrown by Kathy but still moved a bit because of the strengh of the strike. "Ah, Katherine, always full of surprises. Still holding onto that grudge, I see."

Katherine became even angrier and said, "grudge? you consider this a grudge? you killed my daughter! I raised all five of you together and you killed her. you turned her body to ashes and you think all of this is a grudge? you're fucking wrong and I'll kill you and show you what true revenge is".

Rey, on the other hand, remained surprisingly composed despite Kathy's threats. He smirked,"then it's your fault for trusting me. I told you back then many years ago, all I care about is strength and nothing else. She stood in my way and I disposed of her. I don't care if she was Konstantin's wife, your daughter or my "sister". All I need in this world is strengh".

*Swoosh*

Konstantin appeared behind Rey slashing towards his neck, "then I also don't need a reason to kill you here anymore".

As Konstantin's blade sliced through the air, Rey swiftly dodged the attack, his expression turning serious. "So, it seems you've finally decided to move Konstantin. I thought you'd be standing there letting your mom do all the work"

Kathy's eyes burned with fury and she also started to move,"Konstantin. Let me help you. We'll take our revenge together".

the tension in the air was palpable, and neither Konstantin nor Rey nor Katherine seemed willing to back down. Gwendoline didn't know what to do while Seath kept watching all three fight eachother.

Konstantin prepared to launch another attack while Katherine willed her hammer to her and prepared to strike him but then a voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "That's enough!"

All eyes turned to see Hu Zhao floating in the sky while exerting an immense pressure using his magic power, "Rey, Konstantin and the old woman. this is not the time for personal conflicts," he spoke firmly. "the rules says no killing between trials. If you want to kill each other then just wait for the final trial and then do whatever you want."

All three paused, their gazes fixed on . The weight of her words hung in the air, reminding them of the larger mission they had been each assigned to.

With a sigh, Rey reluctantly lowered his guard. "Hmph, I'll deal with the two of you later and even Olenna will be killed too".

Konstantin, though still filled with anger, nodded in agreement. He understood that Hu Zhao words held wisdom. He also needed to calm down and think rationally. Kathy hesitated, her grip on the hammer loosening. After a moment, she let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "Fine, but don't think for a second that I've forgiven him."

As the tension dissipated, the group took a collective breath, realizing the gravity of the situation they faced. They knew that in order to overcome the impending final challenge, they would need to set aside personal vendettas and wait for the right moment.

Hu Zhao: "I'll be back in a few hours when everyone is here. By the way, Konstantin, Aiden said to me to tell you and your friends that he has already left the island and went back down. He said that he doesn't need to be here anymore and decided to go back and rest".

"Wait what? He left!".

__________________

[A few hours ago at night in the middle before the end of the second trial]

"Are you sure you want to leave? Don't you wanna know who of the five will get out first?", Charles was looking at Aiden who was about to leave the tower and walking towards the edge of the island towards the teleportation circle.

"Not intrested"

"Then what about your friends?"

"They've already reached the final trial and I'm sure you don't want to kill them so there is nothing more for me to stay here for", Aiden had no idea what the final trial was but he was sure it wasn't hard enough for Lyssia and the others since he knew that Charles wanted to pass on his legacy and not kill evryone.

"If thats what you want then have it your way. I hope we meet again Aiden".

"Yeah sure, just don't die old man".

Charles laughed when he heard that,"I'm already dead tho".

Aiden left the tower and headed towards the east entrance of the ruined city, but suddenly saw a mysterious shadowy figure moving towards him coming from the location of the teleportation circle. Both Aiden and the figure suddenly stopped and looked at each other.

"I'm surprised. I thought that everyone who came here would be partaking in the trial but there are some rats who were able to escape and move around",Aiden wanted at first to know how this man was able to evade the detection magic that Charles uses around the island but the man said nothing and just kept staring at him.

"I guess the silence means I have to drag he words out of your mouth".