Tension Increases Outside the Competition!

"Z-Zanyill!"

"You dare?! You dare try to kill my disciple with my back turned?!"

"You don't understand!"

"Don't understand what?"

"Why would you choose some random First Stage over me?! I spent years, decades trying to become your disciple! Yet you choose him?!"

"This is why Gatrid! Your obsession over this situation made me incredibly hesitant to even consider choosing you! You have certainly proved my point!"

"I-I-I didn't mean it?"

"Hmph, there is no point in lying to me now. Your motives are clear, I shall be taking my leave."

"Zanyill!"

Zanyill waved a hand and Travis was lifted through an unknown force. Travis did not fight against it, he instead remained limp. Zanyill shook his head, "And I trusted that you would not go too far."

Zanyill retreated into the forest, leaving a disheartened and saddened Gatrid watching his disappearing figure.

He held his hand out, "Why?"

~ ~ ~

Akiol stretched, "When's our next fight?"

Kan'na looked at the Matchup Card, "It says three days. . . So tomorrow in real time?"

"Tomorrow. . . so what do we do now?"

Wrock interjected, "I have an idea! There was this cool-"

BOOM-!

Wrock looked towards the entryway, "Really."

Akiol patted his shoulder, "No worries man, let's go see what's going on."

The party squeezed past the increasing crowd, all wondering who would dare make a commotion.

A figure stood surrounded by players. A large axe on their back. They looked calm, watching every single player that could be their enemy, "So, what's this all about?"

Another individual walked through the encirclement, "Hmph, you actually dared to eliminate me so early into the competition? You simply messed with someone you should never! My adventuring team here is ready for you to pay what you owe."

"Pay what I owe? You died fair in the competition, do not embarrass yourself."

"We'll see about that."

Akiol frowned, something wasn't right. Where had the explosion come from? Was it merely to gather attention?

The individual who was encircled calmly lifted their axe, it was a two handed one. Making everyone believe that they were a Berserker. They readied themself into a stance, "Perhaps this battle won't be as one-sided as yours."

"Tch, kill him!"

Akiol sighed, "How long until the guards come?"

Jarvis replied, "Five seconds."

"A shame, I wanted to see how this guy would handle himself. Alright let's stop it real quick."

Tilia raised a hand, a bronze mountain suddenly covered the axe wielding stranger. The encirclement's attacks simply bounced off it. The stranger raised an eyebrow, curious on what it could possibly be. However it's toughness wanted them to test it themself. Raising the axe they planned to slam it into the barrier.

Tick~ Tock~

Akiol appeared inside the barrier and caught the axe as it fell, "Guards are arriving, wouldn't want you to be disqualified."

"Halt! You have damaged the Kingdom and have committed acts of violence! You are under arrest!"

The leader of the group smiled, "Oh guards, do you know who I am?"

The guard looked over, "Miss Franqiuze? My apologies I had no idea this was your doing."

Franqiuze wave a hand, "No worries, I just need to teach someone a lesson and my men will be gone quickly. I know my limits."

"Very well, we shall take our leave."

The party frowned, names with benefits again. . . To be used in this way?

Akiol sighed, "Wrock!"

Wrock nodded and shouted, "Guards, hold it right there."

The guards stopped and one of them approached, "Is there an issue?"

"Yes there is an issue, you're going to allow her to disrupt the competition, and murder someone here?"

"Don't disrespect Miss Franqiuze! Her position grants her incredible power, we dare not mess with it."

"Allow me to introduce myself then. Martial Founder Wrock, I do believe this should serve evidence enough?"

The guards were visible shook, "The King's token?! Our apologies Founder!"

The guards knelt, "Forgive our insolence!"

"I do believe some issues need to be taken care of. . . am I correct?"

"Yes Founder! We shall see to it!"

The guards quickly marched to arrest the perpetrators. Franqiuze quickly shouted, "What are you doing?! You know who I am!"

"Silence! You are in no position to question the authority of a Founder, one associated with the King at that!"

A guard walked over to Akiol and the axe wielding individual, but could not get past the barrier. Wrock saw this and stopped his progress, "They are the victims guard, try not to arrest the innocents?"

"Yes Founder!"

The individual wielding the axe put it back on their back, "This is?"

"The name's Akiol, by the look of things you eliminated that lady over there in the competition and she wanted revenge right?"

"That is correct."

"Well we noticed the guards arriving and we didn't want someone to be disqualified early, so we stepped in. I hope you don't mind? I am confident that you could have taken them all on though."

"What makes you say that?"

"Your stance, the way you calmly watched your opponents. There wasn't any fear or uncertainty, nor any signs of overconfidence."

"From that small encounter?"

"I have an eye for these things."

"Who are you?"

"Again, the name's Akiol. Though the name Six Lights might be a little more known."

"I do not know that name."

"A shame, we're not that popular anyway."

The bronze mountain faded and a guard walked over, "We need you to provide a testament to this, if you do not mind."

Akiol waved a hand, "Merely stopped conflict, the true victim is this guy."

"I see."

Meanwhile Kan'na walked over, "Oh? Acting all high and mighty?"

Wrock's eyebrow twitched, "I try to maintain the image of a grand Founder that they envision. It's a little difficult to act like I'm above people."

"I certainly did not notice."

Wrock made a face, "Why must you do this."

Kan'na grinned, "Just messing with you."

A guard interrupted, "Founder, we require your testament as well."

Wrock nodded, "I shall come along. You do not mind if my friends join us?"

"I am certain his Majesty would not mind."

"What would the King have to do with this?"

"This matter concerns two individuals with high amount of Prestige. Only the King can give a fair verdict."

"Ah, very well then."

Akiol looked over to the axe wielding individual the moment the guard walked away, "Your name?"

". . . Raron."

"Well then Raron, a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise."

"See you in whatever this game's version of court is!"

Akiol walked back to his party leaving a confused Raron in place. He was unsure how to ask Akiol how they managed to block his strike so easily. Ever since he came back to the highly populate areas he hadn't found anyone capable of matching his strength. Yet someone casually stopped his blow and acted nothing of it? He wanted to know more, but wasn't sure how to ask.

A guard tapped his shoulder, "Please follow us."

He nodded and obeyed the command, he certainly didn't wish to be disqualified.

. . .

"Your majesty!"

"Hmm? Yes what is it?"

"We have a situation requiring your judgement?"

Kayne was slightly alert by that, "What happened?"

"A conflict concerning Miss Franqiuze and Founder Wrock had occurred!"

"Founder Wrock? What happened?"

The guard explained what he had saw. Kayne nodded and commanded, "Alright let me see them."

A group spilled into the halls, Kayne took a posture and began to speak, "I hear that a conflict occurred? I already know of the details, I only wish to hear you sides. Let's start with the victim."

Raron walked forward, "I had completed my match in the competition. Until she had me surrounded with her men, demanding I pay what I owe. When the guards came, she had them back off using her status."

Kayne nodded, "And Miss Franqiuze? What do you say?"

"He had insulted my position! I simply could not let that slide, I am sure your men would not hesitate to kill anyone who dare insult you!"

Kayne did not say anything to her instead he turned to Wrock, "And Founder Wrock?"

"It is the same as the victim said, I am not sure what match he went through, but Franqiueze was quite displeased with the outcome. She abused her status to kill him."

Kayne snapped and a cloaked individual appeared. They handed him a scroll and vanished just as quickly as they appeared. Kayne opened the scroll and read the contents before nodding, "It seems that Founder Wrock and the Victim has indeed stated the truth. Miss Franqiuze, because of your status I shall not sentence you to jail. However the same does not apply for your men. Moreover due to the obvious abuse of power, your status will be revoked. Take them away!"

Franqiuze struggled, "Your Majesty! Remember what I did? You cannot treat me like this!"

Kayne slammed the armrest of his chair, "You dare question my verdict?! It is due to what you did that you shall not rot in a cell! Do not disrespect me in front of my men ever again!"

Franqiuze lowered her head, "Yes. . . your Majesty. . ."

Kayne took a breath and looked at Raron, "My apologies, I hope this satisfies you?"

Raron lifted his hands, "I don't know what you mean Your Majesty. You have dealt a fair verdict!"

Kayne nodded, "I am glad, now you may go. Founder Wrock may I have a word?"

Raron looked at Akiol and hesitated before leaving the castle, he would wait for them outside.

Kayne looked at the party, "Who are these people?"