Chapter14: Trials for the fourth

The next day, the candidates arrive at the Arcane Dragon Vanguard's Guild Hall, each one eager to prove their worth and join the team. As noon approaches, Caelan, Lyra, and Sari greet the candidates.

Then Caelan get up onto the stage to prepare his speech to the candidates.

Caelan stands before the gathered candidates and begins his introduction. "Welcome, everyone, to the Arcane Dragon Vanguard's Guild Hall. We're glad to have you here, and we're excited to see what each of you can bring to our team. My name is Caelan Sunblade, and I am the Guild Master. With me are my fellow teammates, Princess Lyra Evergleam and Sari, the Dragon Princess."

After the introductions, Caelan proceeds to explain the first competition. "The first challenge you'll be facing today is the obstacle course. This course has been designed to test your agility, speed, and endurance. You will need to navigate through various challenges, such as climbing walls, swinging from ropes, and balancing on narrow beams. The goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible while showing your determination and adaptability. Remember, this is not only about your individual performance but also how well you can work together with others."

Caelan then gestures towards the starting point of the obstacle course, a clearly marked area with a large timer displayed above it. "When you're ready, gather at the starting line. We will begin the challenge soon. Good luck to each of you, and may the best candidate join our team!"

With that, the candidates take their positions at the starting line, anticipation and excitement filling the air as they prepare to face the first of the three challenges that will determine their future with the Arcane Dragon Vanguard.

The competition begins, and each candidate starts off strong, determined to prove their worth. They traverse the obstacle course, showcasing their unique skills and abilities.

Zephyros takes to the air, expertly navigating the course with his impressive agility and wind magic. He manages to maintain a steady pace throughout, finishing with a time of 3 minutes and 12 seconds.

Embera's fiery determination is evident as she powers through each obstacle, using her fire magic and hand-to-hand combat skills to her advantage. She crosses the finish line with a time of 4 minutes and 7 seconds.

Nymira uses her cunning and water magic to manipulate the course in her favor. Her adaptability and strategic thinking allow her to finish with a time of 3 minutes and 55 seconds.

Alaric's keen eye and knowledge of terrain help him expertly navigate the course. His archery and survival skills aid him in completing the course with a time of 4 minutes and 22 seconds.

Seraphina utilizes her powerful illusions to confuse her opponents and bypass obstacles with ease. Her deception skills give her an advantage, and she finishes with a time of 3 minutes and 47 seconds.

Gavriel's strength and durability enable him to power through the obstacles, his fierce determination evident. The seasoned warrior completes the course in 4 minutes and 31 seconds.

Elara's enchanting skills prove invaluable as she imbues her gear with magical properties to overcome the course's challenges. She crosses the finish line with a time of 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

Thane's connection with animals provides a unique advantage, as he calls upon his animal companions to assist him in navigating the course. He finishes with a time of 3 minutes and 40 seconds.

Vesper's stealth and agility allow her to infiltrate the course with ease, bypassing obstacles with her quick thinking. She completes the course with an impressive time of 3 minutes and 29 seconds.

The final rankings are as follows:

Zephyros - 3:12

Vesper - 3:29

Thane - 3:40

Seraphina - 3:47

Nymira - 3:55

Embera - 4:07

Elara - 4:15

Alaric - 4:22

Gavriel - 4:31

With the first challenge complete, the candidates catch their breath and prepare for the next competition: the 3v3 duels.

Caelan, Lyra, and Sari lead the candidates to the outdoor arena, where they split them into three teams of three for the 3v3 duels:

Team 1:

Zephyros the White Dragon, Embera the Red Dragon and Gavriel the Half-Orc Warrior

Team 2:

Nymira the Blue Dragon, Seraphina the Human Illusionist and Alaric the Elf Archer

Team 3:

Elara the Human Enchantress, Thane the Half Elf Beastmaster and Vesper the Goblin Rogue

Each team is given a few minutes to strategize and discuss their strengths and weaknesses before the duels begin. With the teams formed, the excitement in the air is palpable as the candidates prepare to showcase their combat abilities in the hopes of securing a spot on the Arcane Dragon Vanguard's team.

Caelan addresses the candidates, announcing, "The 3v3 duels will be a round-robin style competition, with each team facing the other two teams once. It will be the best of three matches, so each team will have a chance to face each other."

The candidates nod in understanding, and the excitement in the air grows even stronger. The teams finish their strategizing and take their positions in the arena, eager to prove their combat prowess and secure a spot on the Arcane Dragon Vanguard's team. Caelan, Lyra, and Sari watch intently, ready to evaluate the candidates' performances and determine who will best complement their team in the upcoming Guild Competition.

Team One, consisting of Zephyros, Alaric, and Elara, faces off against Team Three, which includes Nymira, Gavriel, and Vesper.

The match begins with Alaric taking the initiative, firing off a volley of arrows towards Team Three. Gavriel, acting as the frontline defender, expertly blocks the arrows with his shield, creating an opportunity for Vesper to use her agility and stealth to close the distance. She tries to catch Team One off guard with a surprise attack from behind.

Meanwhile, Zephyros takes to the air, using his mastery of wind magic to create powerful gusts that disrupt Team Three's movements. Nymira, quick to adapt, casts a shield of water around herself and her teammates, dampening the force of the wind and protecting them from the worst of the gusts.

Elara, seeing an opportunity to support her teammates, starts imbuing Alaric's arrows with magical properties, increasing their speed and penetration. Alaric takes advantage of the enchantments, aiming for the gaps in Gavriel's defenses, and successfully landing a few hits.

Nymira, recognizing the need for healing, casts a wave of restorative water magic, mending Gavriel's wounds and allowing him to maintain his defense. Simultaneously, she calls forth torrents of water to counter Zephyros's aerial advantage, forcing him to land and engage in close-quarters combat.

Vesper finally manages to slip past Team One's defenses and attempts a critical strike on Elara. However, Zephyros, having landed just in time, intercepts the attack with a gust of wind, sending Vesper tumbling back towards her teammates.

Both teams continue to exchange blows and showcase their abilities in an intense and exhilarating match. The candidates demonstrate exceptional teamwork, strategic thinking, and adaptability as they face the challenges presented by their opponents. After a hard-fought battle, Team One ultimately emerges as the victor, having successfully worn down Team Three's defenses and securing the first win of the round-robin competition.

Team Two, consisting of Embera, Seraphina, and Thane, faces off against Team Three, which includes Nymira, Gavriel, and Vesper.

As the match begins, Thane calls forth his animal companion, a massive dire wolf, to join him in battle. The wolf charges forward, aiming for Gavriel, who raises his shield and prepares to engage the beast in combat. At the same time, Embera starts summoning her fire magic, creating a wall of flames that separates Team Three's members, forcing them to spread out and hindering their ability to support each other.

Vesper, using her agility and stealth, manages to bypass the wall of flames and attempts to strike at Seraphina, who has been casting powerful illusions to disorient Team Three. However, Seraphina anticipates the attack and, in a cunning move, creates an illusionary double of herself just in time. Vesper's attack misses its mark, hitting the illusion instead.

Nymira, demonstrating her adaptability and quick thinking, counters Embera's wall of flames with a torrent of water, extinguishing the fire and allowing her teammates to regroup. Gavriel, now freed from the dire wolf's assault, charges towards Embera, seeking to engage her in close combat.

As the battle intensifies, Thane commands his dire wolf to harass Nymira, preventing her from healing her teammates and casting more water spells. Meanwhile, Seraphina continues to create illusions, making it difficult for Team Three to discern reality from deception.

Vesper, frustrated by her previous failure, focuses her attention on Thane, hoping to take down the beastmaster and eliminate the dire wolf threat. She manages to land a few successful hits, but Thane remains standing, fighting back fiercely.

Both teams exhibit remarkable skill and adaptability, pushing their limits and showcasing their unique abilities in the thrilling match. In the end, Team Two secures the victory after Embera lands a powerful, decisive blow on Gavriel, incapacitating him and leaving Team Three without their frontline defender. With their defenses weakened, Team Three is unable to withstand the combined might of Team Two's onslaught, resulting in their second loss in the competition.

Caelan steps forward and addresses the audience, as well as the competitors. "Team Three, you've put up an incredible fight and demonstrated your skills and determination throughout this competition. Unfortunately, you are now out of the running for the fourth member position in our team for the Guild Competition. However, we have seen the strength and the values you hold, which align with our guild's principles."

He continues, "We would like to extend an invitation to each of you to join the Arcane Dragon Vanguard as regular members. If you're interested, please see our receptionist at the entrance. We believe that your skills and spirit would be a valuable addition to our guild."

With that announcement, the atmosphere in the arena remains tense and excited as the final round of the competition approaches. Team Three, despite their elimination, appears grateful for the opportunity and the recognition they've received during the event.

Sari confidently steps up to the arena, her colorful dragon scales shimmering under the sunlight. She raises her voice to address both Team One and Team Two, "Team One and Team Two, please make your way to the arena for the final match! This will be the deciding battle to determine who will become the fourth member of our team for the Guild Competition."

As the members of both teams gather in the arena, a mixture of excitement and anticipation fills the air. The onlookers eagerly await the final match, knowing that it will be a display of incredible skill and teamwork.

Team One and Team Two face each other, their eyes locked in determination. The atmosphere is electric as both teams prepare to give it their all in this final showdown.

The tension in the arena is palpable as Team One and Team Two square off for the final battle. The audience watches with bated breath, eager to witness the spectacular showdown between these skilled fighters.

Team One consists of Zephyros, the swift white dragon; Alaric, the skilled Elf archer; and Seraphina, the talented human illusionist. Team Two is made up of Embera, the fierce red dragon; Gavriel, the seasoned half-orc warrior; and Elara, the gifted human enchantress.

As the match begins, Zephyros immediately takes to the air, using his mastery over wind magic to send powerful gusts towards Team Two, forcing them to scatter and take cover. Meanwhile, Alaric expertly fires a volley of arrows, each aimed with precision at key targets, keeping Team Two on the defensive.

However, Team Two doesn't falter under the pressure. Embera summons a wall of fire to protect her team from the onslaught of arrows, while Elara quickly enchants Gavriel's weapon, imbuing it with powerful magical properties. Gavriel charges forward, cutting through the wind gusts with ease as he makes his way towards Alaric.

Seraphina, seeing Gavriel's approach, weaves an intricate illusion to confuse him. Gavriel hesitates, momentarily disoriented, allowing Seraphina to create a second illusion to help Alaric evade the half-orc's attack.

Meanwhile, Embera takes to the sky to challenge Zephyros directly. The two dragons engage in a breathtaking aerial battle, their powerful elemental attacks clashing in mid-air. The roar of fire meets the howl of the wind as they exchange blows, neither willing to back down.

On the ground, Elara continues to support her team, casting a barrier spell to protect them from the ongoing barrage of Alaric's arrows. In response, Seraphina amplifies her illusions, making it increasingly difficult for Team Two to discern reality from deception.

The battle rages on, both teams displaying exceptional skill and teamwork. Each member plays a crucial role in their respective teams, their individual strengths complementing one another seamlessly.

Finally, as the dust settles, it becomes clear that Team One has narrowly emerged as the victors. Their combination of swift attacks, cunning illusions, and expert marksmanship has proven to be the winning formula in this hard-fought battle. The arena erupts in cheers, acknowledging the incredible performance by both teams.

Caelan, Lyra, and Sari approach both teams with smiles on their faces, clearly impressed by the incredible display of skill and teamwork they had just witnessed. They congratulate Team One on their victory and commend them for their exceptional performance.

Turning to Team Two, Caelan addresses them with a warm and sincere tone. "You all fought with incredible skill, determination, and teamwork," he says. "While you may not have won this match, we believe that each of you embodies the values we stand for in our guild. We would be honored if you would consider joining the Arcane Dragon Vanguard."

Lyra and Sari nod in agreement, their expressions showing their genuine admiration and respect for Team Two's efforts. The defeated team members exchange glances, clearly touched by the offer and the praise they have received.

Caelan continues, "Please see the receptionist at the entrance if you're interested in joining our guild. We believe that each of you has something unique to contribute, and we would be proud to have you as members."

As the candidates from both teams make their way out of the arena, the excitement and anticipation in the air is palpable. The Arcane Dragon Vanguard now has a formidable lineup of new recruits, and their prospects in the upcoming Guild Competition look brighter than ever.

Caelan gathers the remaining candidates from Team One and addresses them with enthusiasm. "The final contest will be starting soon, and it's going to be quite the challenge. You will be dropped into the middle of a dangerous mirror maze, filled with twists, turns, and dead ends. Your goal is to navigate through this treacherous labyrinth and reach the finish line as quickly as possible."

He looks at the candidates seriously, emphasizing the gravity of the challenge. "Remember, this is every person for themselves. The first two of you to cross the finish line will duel it out for the coveted spot in our party for the Guild Competition. Be prepared for anything, as the maze may have more surprises than just its reflective walls."

The candidates nod, understanding the stakes of this final contest. They steel themselves for the challenge ahead, determination and focus evident in their eyes. As they make their way to the starting point of the mirror maze, Caelan, Lyra, and Sari watch on, eager to see which of these talented individuals will emerge as the ultimate victor and join their ranks.

One by one, the contestants are dropped into the heart of the mirror maze. The moment they touch the ground, they begin assessing their surroundings and formulating strategies to navigate the treacherous labyrinth.

Zephyros, the swift white dragon, wastes no time in leaping into action. His keen senses and familiarity with wind magic enable him to pick up on subtle air currents within the maze. He follows these currents with agility and precision, weaving through the mirrors with ease. However, he occasionally misjudges a turn and ends up in a dead end. Frustrated, he retraces his steps and tries a different path, his determination unwavering.

Alaric, the skilled Elf archer, takes a more cautious approach. He relies on his keen eyes and survival skills to navigate the maze. He carefully studies the reflections in the mirrors, noticing minute distortions that reveal the true path. Despite his methodical approach, Alaric occasionally finds himself lost among the maze's many twists and turns, but he remains undeterred and continues to analyze the mirrors, determined to find the exit.

Seraphina, the talented human illusionist, uses her unique skills to her advantage. She conjures illusions to test the authenticity of the mirrors, watching closely as her ethereal doppelgangers pass through the maze. When they encounter a dead end, she adjusts her course accordingly. Despite her clever strategy, Seraphina still struggles with the disorienting nature of the maze, which sometimes causes her illusions to falter.

After what feels like an eternity, the contestants finally reach the end of the maze. Zephyros emerges first, his agile movements and familiarity with wind magic having ultimately paid off. Not far behind him is Alaric, who exits the maze with a mix of relief and triumph, his careful analysis having led him to victory. Finally, a somewhat disoriented but determined Seraphina stumbles out of the maze, having put her unique skills to the test.

As the contestants catch their breath, Caelan congratulates them on their impressive performances. He announces that the final duel between Zephyros and Alaric will soon commence, with the winner securing their spot on the team for the Guild Competition.

Lyra walks over to Seraphina with a warm smile and says, "You did an amazing job, Seraphina. Your skills in illusion magic are truly impressive, and you navigated that maze with great determination. I sincerely hope you consider joining our guild. We could really use someone with your unique talents."

Seraphina, slightly out of breath but clearly touched by Lyra's words, nods in appreciation. "Thank you, Lyra. I'll definitely think about it. It's been an incredible experience competing here today."

Lyra then turns to Zephyros and Alaric, offering her congratulations. "You both did exceptionally well in the maze. Your agility, Zephyros, and your keen eyesight, Alaric, are truly remarkable. Good luck to both of you in the final duel. May the best candidate win."

Zephyros and Alaric nod in acknowledgment, their focus now fully on the upcoming duel that will determine their fate in the Guild Competition.

As the anticipation in the air grows, Zephyros and Alaric take their positions in the center of the arena, facing each other with determination in their eyes. Caelan, Lyra, and Sari, along with the other guild members and contestants, watch from the sidelines, eager to see which of the two talented candidates will emerge victorious and join their team for the Guild Competition.

Caelan raises his hand and announces, "This is the final showdown between our top two candidates: Zephyros, the swift white dragon, and Alaric, the skilled Elf archer. The winner of this duel will join our team and represent the Arcane Dragon Vanguard in the Guild Competition. Let the duel begin!"

At his signal, the duel commences. Zephyros leaps into the air, using his mastery of wind magic to create powerful gusts that buffet Alaric, attempting to throw off his aim. Alaric, however, remains unfazed, his keen eyes tracking Zephyros' movements as he expertly dodges the gusts and fires off a series of precise arrows.

Zephyros, seeing that his wind magic is not enough to stop Alaric, swoops down and engages him in close combat, using his powerful talons and aerial agility to his advantage. Alaric, meanwhile, quickly adapts to the new situation and switches to his twin daggers, engaging Zephyros in a fast-paced, intense melee battle.

The two contenders exchange blows, their movements fluid and precise as they each try to find an opening in the other's defenses. The audience watches in awe, impressed by the sheer skill and determination displayed by both Zephyros and Alaric.

As the duel continues, it becomes increasingly clear that this will be a closely fought battle, with both candidates giving it their all to secure their place in the Arcane Dragon Vanguard. It remains to be seen who will ultimately come out on top and join Caelan, Lyra, and Sari in their quest for glory in the Guild Competition.

The intense duel between Zephyros and Alaric shows no signs of slowing down as the two contenders push themselves to their limits. Both candidates are growing visibly tired, but neither is willing to give in.

In a sudden burst of speed, Zephyros manages to land a powerful blow on Alaric with his tail, sending him flying back. Alaric quickly recovers, however, rolling to his feet and using his incredible agility to dodge another incoming attack from Zephyros.

Seeing an opening, Alaric swiftly nocks an arrow and fires it directly at Zephyros' wing, momentarily grounding the white dragon. Zephyros roars in frustration but quickly retaliates with a powerful gust of wind, knocking Alaric off balance.

As both contenders struggle to regain their footing, it's clear that the battle is reaching its climax. Their movements are slower, their attacks less precise, but their determination remains unwavering.

With a final burst of energy, Zephyros and Alaric launch themselves at each other for one last exchange of blows. In a breathtaking display of skill, the two fighters clash in mid-air, their weapons meeting in a shower of sparks.

When they finally land back on the ground, both Zephyros and Alaric are visibly exhausted, but only one of them can be the winner. After a moment of tense silence, it becomes apparent that Alaric managed to land a decisive blow on Zephyros, leaving the white dragon unable to continue the fight.

Caelan steps forward and announces, "The winner of the final duel is Alaric, the skilled Elf archer! Congratulations, Alaric, you have earned your place in the Arcane Dragon Vanguard!"

The crowd erupts into cheers and applause as Alaric is congratulated by his fellow candidates and welcomed by Caelan, Lyra, and Sari. Though Zephyros may not have won the duel, his impressive performance during the competition has undoubtedly earned him the respect and admiration of everyone present.