A Massacre

"That was a one time thing."

Felli did her best to stop herself from thinking of anything else as she walked down the hallway. Entering the throne room where her mother stood she saw the Queen sitting on her throne all by herself. Noticing her child come inside the Queen peered at Felli with a bit of curiosity. It was incredibly rare for Felli to ever ask something of her, over the years she could count on one hand how many times it had happened. Most of them were from when she was younger and didn't know about her father but there were a few exceptions. "Did she know them?" Tilting her head to the side she couldn't remember Felli having any kind of friends like that.

"Why'd you ask me to back down?"

Flinching hearing her Mother's words, Felli knew this was coming. She didn't have any good reason to explain herself so she stayed silent trying to think of something. Digging around in her brain she tried to find some excuse as the Queen watched her patiently. No emotions crossed her face as she watched her daughter stall for time. "....Fine." Taking a deep breath the Queen refocused on her plan as she let Felli go. In the end it wasn't a big deal to her anymore, she just wanted to know the reason her daughter actually moved for once. Something she almost never saw throughout their entire lives. "Hopefully she keeps it up when I'm gone." As the energy down below charged up the Queen could already feel her life slipping away and she hadn't even destroyed one zone yet.

"...."

Within the silence the Queen spoke up.

"Nevermind, it's of no importance. There's a lot more we need to focus on right now. Those winners should be showing up in a bit, then we can start the real event. Let me ask you one more thing though and this time you have to answer it for me.....Are you ready for what happens next? We need to be strong and ruthless otherwise we will die."

The next couple of hours would decide how things we're going to go. The Queen thought about just firing it without a word however she wanted a test of sorts. If they couldn't do even just this, how would they be able to face everyone else that was a lot stronger. "We'll kill anyone who fights back." Which probably meant everyone that was about to show up, no one wanted to lose Astral Zones. It was her and Felli versus everyone else with no going back. Taking in the Queen's words Felli didn't hesitate as she nodded her head. "I have to." There was no more stalling for time anymore, she had long run out of that.

"I'm ready."

Footsteps filled the room as all the winners and guests from around the world gathered in the same room. Chatting without stopping, some of the guests were already talking to some of the winners about having them join them. Most who had ideas about Xilo's group at first had stayed away from them after seeing their display in the event. Having someone with multiple targets on their back and such raw cruelty wasn't what they were after. It was best they stayed away and forgot that they existed. There was only one exception to that as an older lazy man walked over to them along with another man and Keltal's students.

"Hey Xilo, quite a rough fight out there, are you all okay?"

Looking at Keltal, Xilo said hello and waved it off.

"We're fine for the most part, Zilan over there took a bit of damage but he seems to be recovering just fine. What about you? I'm surprised so many of your students did so well in the events this year. I didn't realise we had so many hidden talents."

Looking at the small group of people in front of him Xilo noticed someone new.

"Oh who's this?"

He was an old man who's age had started to show his age along with his grey hair. Even with that there was still some Nobleness in his posture and the good looks from his youth that managed to stick around. He wore a much cleaner suit compared to Keltal that helped set them apart that was black. "Never seen him." He wasn't someone from the Fiery Clan though from his memory. "My memory might be bad but..." Waiting for Keltal's answer, Xilo tried to think back while both men smiled. With a slight bow Keltal pointed to the old man as he introduced a very old friend of his.

"His name is Rirad, someone who has helped me out quite a bit. I figured I would introduce you to him, he doesn't live in Ukel anymore but it's good to know more people."

"Hello, Xilo. I've heard quite a lot about you from Keltal here along with your friend here. I think her name is Xelfia, along with all of you. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Bowing his head Rirad looked at the group in front of him with slight awe. With all the praise he heard from Keltal he thought they were just going to be hyped up but after seeing them fight in the event he had changed his mind. "They're rookie's but they have a lot of raw talent." If they sharpened that and managed to live long enough they could be good friends to have or even students. He had definitely thought about asking them to be his students but Keltal had persuaded him against it. "A bit saddening but understandable." So he settled for just meeting them and getting to know them a bit better himself.

"It's time ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the wait but the Queen is now ready for you all."

Before he could talk with them a bit more though one of the maids of the castle came out and announced to everyone that it was time.

"Oh, looks like it's starting. Maybe we can talk another time then."

With that everyone turned to the throne room and started to walk in.