GRAND ILLUSION TOURNAMENT

"...."

"...."

Jared and Azaire sat there in a stunned silence but Titania was silent and unbothered as if she had already expected this news. And indeed as the "Honorary" Fairy King she was privy to a lot of different information that others were not. In truth if Jared had already started his eventual ascension to the crown then he too would know some of these things only those at the top of the world were privy too.

The other two were too shocked to notice her silence and were busy spinning their head around the comparison to the myth they were just told and the myth that currently sat before them but after a second Azaire thought that this was probably natural for someone as amazing as his master while Jared was the only one left that stared at the mysterious red-headed woman before him with a near incomprehensible look.

Master Talya avoided their gazes and sat back and looked away as if unwilling to speak anymore on the subject. Luckily it seemed as if Gustavo was there to save her from elaborating as he swiftly took over the conversation.

"I also happen to be the current keeper of the Lost Desert. As some of you may have noticed there is more then meets the eye to this pretty land of ours...."

Gustavo's eye's scanned lazily over those on the other side of the table giving no direct clue on to who he referred but for some reason Azaire was sure he was at least one of the people being singled out. Brushing it off Azaire paid closer attention to the wrym as he continued speaking.

"Those who walk into these shifting sands that seems impossible to see through will often find they already died without even realizing their mind had already led them to their doom. This land is home to the Greater Force of illusion and only those with overwhelming power or a similar will or mental strength can think to wonder in this forest unabated. Often times if the illusions do not break the minds of those who enter the native beasts hidden with the assistance of whatever fantasy world the desert has captured one in will be more then enough to spill one's blood...."

As Azaire listened he couldn't help but think of the rhinestone rhinoceros he had fought not too long ago and suddenly his ability to fight the creature as far as he did made much more sense to him. Animal often adapted to their surroundings naturally and used the resources and advantages of it not only in their way of hunting but in their everyday life as well. That rhino must have been accustomed to it's opponents being confused and disoriented so it lacked some of the battle sense and ferocity other of it's kind might have in favor of going with the flow of whatever illusion the jungle might have conjured for it.

Gustavo continued the conversation explaining how the various forbidden lands cultivated and retained their power in various ways and how certain things needed to be done and ceremonies held to ensure they would remain powerful enough to resist the intrusion of outsiders.

For example, those killed in the four forbidden land often contributed part of their life force and energy to the land as well as being tended by the keepers and caretakers in charge of them in various ways even including gardening, pruning, hunting, and harvesting. But the greatest power the lands received and the necessity for their continued survival were the various ceremonies of each land that all had strict rules for each event. Some were like human festivals, some were similar to the witches harvests and festivals, an some were even like competitions....

"Which brings us back around to our current predicament.....the Lost Desert is currently preparing for the Grand Illusion Tournament and Talya's very presence disturbs the energy of the desert. Unchecked it would destroy the deserts attempt to gather the energy it requires to survive and that's not including the 'Very' harmful spell she's been keeping up."

Gustavo then looked toward Titania with a complicated expression and a sigh before continuing.

"Besides that another important rule and coincidentally an exception to the normal rules of the deserts is that anyone who cultivates or is associated with and type of illusion path or force they are welcome in the desert but once they enter they cannot leave until the Tournament is over."

"Likewise they must participate in the tournament or except their death of they wish to resist this. The only way not to beholden to these rules is to not enter the Lost Desert within the year of the tournament."

Titania's face slowly darkened with each word and Azaire tried to recall the little he read about fairies that might warrant her distress, but fairies were notoriously secretive and misleading so he wasn't sure.

Sensing his confusion Titania sighed and explained .

"The life energy fairies cultivate is called Ether...."

Azaire nodded as she looked at him to ensure he was following. This was something he knew already so he was fine for now.

"Do you know what Ether is?"

Azaire was taken aback by the question. He realized that he didn't quite know what the life energies of the fairies or giants did or their purpose.

Titania simply nodded as if that already expected before she continued:

"Ether in the simplest explanation is a type of illusion power. In a more complicated sense it is actually the most powerful mind based life energy and like it's namesake it gives fairies their near ethereal qualities and abilities.

Fairies are not only masters of mystery and illusions we can see through most illusions with strong enough ether. Our greatest strength however is our ability to bind and seal. Ether at it's core is a power that can bind fantasy to reality and make it true.

It can bind illusions to fact and make them indistinguishable from reality. They say the greatest form of illusion is Real Illusions or illusions that become reality and fairies are the most in tune with creating this phenomenon since illusions and trickery and mystery are in our very blood."

As she explained for the first time that Azaire had seen Titania showcased her power as she waved her hand and translucent images of various flowers in colors of different metals and minerals began to float around her as a steel vine slowly snaked out from one flower and began playing connect the dots with the others until it connected to the last flower by the end of her speech and shattered in a surprisingly glamorous collection of sparkling light.

Azaire had wonder and awe in his eyes and even Jared gave an approving grunt at the display.

Titania allowed herself a small blush of pleasure, glad that even if she had gotten dragged into something she didn't care to do she could at least show off a bit for her new fri...uh....acquaintances. Yeah. Her new acquaintances!

While she silently mulled over her conflicted emotions Gustavo carried on with the conversation.

"I know you can be stubborn Tally and you don't like to be told what to do but you KNOW how important this tournament is and what interrupting it could do to the desert. I'm not asking you to walk into handcuffs and stay in the dungeon till it's all over but PLEASE take some time out of your journey and stay as Guests....and competitors....just until the tournament has passed and the grand illusion games are complete?"

Everyone turned to Master Talya expectantly from the sand wyrms to her own charges as they waited for her judgement on their next course of actions. Would there be some type of compromise to their next course of action or would there be a fight? How would this play out.

Talya could feel a migraine coming on as she considered things carefully. With a heavy sigh she finally decided on what the best course of action would be...