Heart of Niflheim
Shortly after Suna's fight with the Ogre which ended in her triumph, they continued walking back home.
Niflheim was only a few minutes away.
They could now see the black Outer Gates which separated Niflheim from the outside world.
A messenger dove landed on Isabelle's wrist.
It had carried a letter which she read immediately.
Their feet stopped moving.
Everyone's eyes were set on the emissary now.
Eager to see what the higher ups' instructions were.
She cleared her throat with a gentle cough.
"Attention. All survivors of the conquest are to report back to the Grand Castle immediately after their arrival at Niflheim. A royal carriage will be waiting."
"Is that all?"
Luken asked her.
To which the emissary simply nodded.
The group continued their stroll towards their homeland.
"So, you guys know that the Annual Slayer Tournament is coming closer and closer, right?"
Cosette mentioned it to everyone.
"Yeah…about that…"
Luken said.
"Oh, don't tell me you haven't informed them? I thought you told Yin and Suna already?"
Gavin was slightly annoyed at the Commander.
"Well, I thought I already did as well."
He bowed his head at Gavin signaling an apology.
All the while scratching his long blue hair.
"Yin, Suna, listen up."
The Serpent Summoner called for their attention.
"The Annual Slayer Tournament is basically a one versus one battle between two Slayers within the ranks of A and B. Excluding S+ ranked Slayers such as me and Luken, of course. For example, Cosette and Suna here are respectively ranked at A and B, they might be able to fight against each other if the bracket allows it. If they make it all the way to the grand finals, then they are eligible for a rise in their ranks. If Cosette makes her way to the grand finals, she can become an S rank Slayer. And if Suna does that as well, she might be able to become an A rank. The winner of the grand finals will receive one hundred thousand zennies."
"O-One hundred t-thousand??!"
Yin's eyes were now wide open.
"Yes, well, about that. Yin, you're ranked at C, you are ineligible for the Tournament. Although I can sense your Anima cells are at B rank at best already, that won't change the fact that you're still a C-rank slayer."
Yin turned his head downwards in disappointment.
He sighed and looked pretty down.
Suna patted him on the back.
"Hey, don't worry! I'll win the zenny for the Six Blades, you'd best believe it!"
"R-Right. Goodluck, Suna."
Yin responded in a defeated voice.
He then turned towards Gavin and asked.
"So, how do I rank up, then?"
"You must survive five conquest missions that you will be deployed in."
Gavin answered.
"That many??!"
Yin exclaimed.
"Don't worry about it so much, Yin boy. I finished five conquest missions in under six months!"
Luken comforted him.
But this made Yin much more depressed.
"That's because you're strong as heck, Commander."
"Oh, yeah, that's about right."
Gavin glared at Luken furiously.
"Who do you think is making it to the top 10 this year, Commander? I mean it took me two years to get to the grand finals."
Cosette asked Luken.
He placed his fingers on his chin.
The Commander then posed a 'thinking' stature.
"Hmm. Well, I've certainly heard of many promising Slayers this year. That's including both you and Suna. The other organizations have astounding fighters as well. If I'm being honest though, Hector from the Inferno Garden would probably win."
"Who's that?"
"That child is a prodigal Flame Slayer. That's all you need to know for now."
Gavin responded.
"Don't be sad, Yin-boy, you'll make it in no time!"
"Yes, sir!"
After some idle chatter, they finally arrived.
Niflheim.
They were now home.
The red skies brought upon by the Barrier was a clear giveaway.
"Good to be back."
Yin said.
Which prompted Suna and Cosette to nod.
"Our carriage is already here."
Isabelle pointed at the white colored, fancy carriage.
It was clearly superior than the one Luken requested on their way here.
He grumbled to himself.
"Hop on. We're going to the Grand Castle. Through the heart of Niflheim itself."
Cosette helped the twins up on the carriage first.
Then everybody climbed up and sat.
After an hour of, they arrived at the capital of Niflheim itself"
Everyone's eyes were sparkling with amazement.
"Woah, I never knew a city like this existed in Niflheim!"
Yin exclaimed.
"I've read about it, but this is the first time I've ever been here."
Suna said.
"Meh, you'll get bored of it soon enough."
Cosette turned her head at the two who were sticking their faces out of the carriage's windows.
The place was immaculate.
Everything seemed to be without a speck of dust or dirt.
All of the civilians wore expensive clothing.
The city had houses high enough to reach the clouds.
Slayers who wore full plated metal armors acted as the guardians of peace in here.
"Welcome to Andora. The capital of Niflheim. We'll be arriving at the Grand Castle in no time."
The coachman said to them at the back.
"Look at all these oblivious pricks. Do they even know we're fighting a war? While they sleep in their gold-plated beds and drive away the poor, do you think they even once thought about helping the cities faced with famine?"
Luken stared in contempt at the citizens.
Yin and Suna's amazement dwindled down.
"That's what being born with a silver spoon does to you. Nay, not even silver, a golden spoon, rather."
The carriage made its way towards a gigantic Castle.
It was a medieval castle painted white.
The Slayer's insignia was placed in a banner in front of the main gates.
"Open the gates! The emissary has arrived from the conquest!"
The coachman shouted to the guy who handled the opening of gates.
This made him open the gates instantly.
"Right, this is our stop."
Isabelle told them.
"Everyone, follow me."
They followed her instructions and followed her lead.
Luken signaled them behind Isabelle's back to stay close to him.
Everybody at the back nodded.
The Grand Castle indeed lived up to its name.
It was grandiose, much like a fairytale.
Countless maids and butlers stumbled around trying to serve food in the dining area.
Slayers with blindingly bright armor marched around and patrolled the castle's proximity.
Yin smiled at one of them.
The Slayer locked his gaze at Luken and Gavin and recoiled in disgust.
This was what happened to each Slayer who came across them.
"Do they hate you guys or something?"
Suna asked.
"They hate our guts."
Gavin grinned.
Isabelle stopped in front of a huge door.
"Beyond this door is every member of the High Council. They are the reason why these monstrosities have not even set a single foot inside Niflheim. The High Council is made up of the longest-serving Gatekeepers, manifesting their Anima powers to make the barrier work. Be on your best behavior. Especially you, Luken."
"I'm always at my best behavior!"
Luken sarcastically retorted.
Isabelle knocked on the door.
For what seemed to last for an eternity.
It finally opened.