At the north coast border of Aetheria, under the moon's gentle glow, the waves of the ocean that came with the whispers of the wind crash against the walls of the shore. Inside the dimly lit hall, the light flickers above the four people seated on the ground with their arms resting on their thighs, in front of an adult man wearing black glasses whose presence commands the hall. He is seated on a chair and focused on reading a book.
"Yes, commander. We are here," says the boy in the black T-shirt.
"You know why I called you all here?" After a small pause, the commander asked.
"No sir."
"It must be for the next week," a girl in a hoodie quirkily said.
"Umm.. What's next week?" Another boy in a white t-shirt asked casually with curiosity.
"The Grand Tournament of Aetheria," the girl, seated at the last, responded.
She is wearing a mini-sleeveless blue-black cheongsam, and her eyes are of a teal color. (Refer: The Girl from the beginning of chapter 22.)
"Oh yes, yes. Right."
"Han, you always forget things," said the girl in the hoodie.
"Yeah, I know Yeona. Even I don't know why I am like this," says Han, holding his head.
"You are very different from your brother Hon, who is very cold and a perfectionist type," says Yeona, smirking towards Hon, who is wearing a black t-shirt.
"Yeona, can you stop?" said Hon, sliding his gaze towards Yeona. "We are not here to discuss all this."
"Alright Mr.Serious."
"But more than my brother, it's Serena who feels like the perfectionist type. Many missions, she pulls it off on her own," says Han.
Everyone looks behind at Serena, who was in blue-black Cheongsam.
"That's like talking about a prodigy. There is no point in comparing," says Yeona. "I am more interested in learning about her childhood, which she never talks about."
After a small pause, Serena gently closes her eyes.
"There's nothing interesting or useful in it," says Serena.
"Sigh* As always a dull answer," replies Yeona.
"Let's not irritate her," says Han.
Thump*
As the book whispered shut, everyone's attention drew towards the commander seated at the front.
"At the Grand Tournament of Aetheria, you guys will have a mission to fulfil."
"What type of mission commander?" asked Han.
"You have to kill two people."
"Ohho, that sounds like my job," says Yeona, smiling.
"It won't be that easy to execute, as one of them has trained directly under Queen and one under legendary knight Marthanda."
"Who are we talking about?" asked Hon.
"The girls who came from Murk last year. They were under strict surveillance and protection all this time by Queen, so we couldn't do anything, but now we'll have endless opportunities."
"Ohh them. Everyone has heard about them," says Yeona.
"Yes, higher-ups and people have decided that they might be the cancer for our kingdom. So we must put an end to it before it becomes the reason for our fall."
"Hmm, right, people were against it in the beginning, but then the talks started vanishing away in the thin air," says Han.
"Alright, Commander, we'll do it," says Hon.
"I am ready to kill everyone and everything," says Yeona.
"You four have to execute this mission together as there will be more people there, so work accordingly," says the commander.
"Yes, sir," Han, Hon, and Yeona repeat together.
Serena softly opens her eyes, her teal-hued gaze captivatingly fixed upon the commander and the colleagues in front of her.
........
With the raising of flags, the giant doors opened, and the kingdom resonated with the thunderous cheers of its people, echoing through the cobbled streets, majestic halls, and at the main arena, where the Grand Tournament of Aetheria will soon begin. Every once in three years, this sacred tradition unfolds, drawing knights of the kingdom to clash in a contest of valour and skill, and the winner will get the prize trophy and 1 lakh gold coins. More than a prize, it's about an honour for the knights to display their glory in front of everyone.
"Wha- There are lots of people here; I feel immense pressure," says Marie, walking beside me as we enter the huge open arena surrounded by spectators.
"I know, right?" I replied.
There are lots of knights around us walking with us as we move towards the centre of the arena, where the majestic throne of the Queen awaits us.
Just then, as I was observing and looking around at everyone, I realised that not many were holding their infusion weapons in their hands. Even mine is behind my back, but due to my long ass coat, no one can see it. But then there are a few who don't mind showing their weapons. Like the guy in my left eye corner has his sword behind his back. Then there was that spear guy whom I fought with at the palace. Then there's one girl with a bow and arrow, and a few are just in white robes of Aetheria.
Just then, my mind clicked with curiosity and realisation, as I am yet to know Marie's infused weapon. I never asked her, nor did she tell me that. She is wearing her usual sweater dress and boots and is completely bare-handed. She is an elite knight. There's no way she doesn't have one.
How can I forget about it?
"What happened, Elea? Why are you staring at me?" asked Marie in curiosity.
"Nothing; it's just that I still don't know your Inf- "
"SWEEET MARIEE!!" said Alex.
Before I could ask Marie my question, Alex came running from behind, jumped on her side, and started walking along with us.
"Ohh, it's you, Retard," said Marie straightforwardly.
Marie doesn't ask him to not call her sweet anymore. I guess she has accepted it and, more like, given up on correcting it. Poor her.
"Marie Don't worry, I'll protect you," said Alex, slapping on his chest.
"Ohh My..." I said, keeping my hand on my lips and smiling.
"Protect me from what? Bitch, it's you who needs protection from me," said Marie.
"Huhh! So cruel. So cruel, Marie," said Alex, acting all terrified. He likes creating drama everywhere.
"I know, I am."
"Sigh*"
As the knights stalled ahead, halting our progress, our gaze fell upon the resplendent, majestic throne. We realised that the queen isn't here yet.
There's a lot of noise from the claps and cheers of the crows and the whispers of the knights around us.
"But I seriously mean it, though," said Alex.
"What?" asked Marie.
"People die in this tournament. So take care of yourselves."
"Ohh, Okk," said Marie. It seems like she took it as a joke or a prank of Alex, whom he keeps pulling on her.
But that made me curious—what if he meant it? My gaze shifted towards Alex.
"But isn't this a friendly cultural tradition for knights of Aetheria?" I asked.
"It is. But most tasks and battles happen at different arenas, and neither the crowd nor Queen will necessarily be able to observe what's happening. We only get to see the final winners of the tasks," said Alex.
"For real?" asked Marie.
"Yes."
"And what happens to the dead ones? Like family or people don't find it weird?"
"Nope. Anyone who dies in the battle is considered to have died by mistake or because they weren't capable enough to complete the task."
I and Marie both stared at him, wondering if he was telling the truth or not, as we had no clue about it.
"Obviously, no one's allowed to kill, or they'll be disqualified and executed by the law, but who will be alive to prove that they were killed on purpose...?" said Alex.
*Gulps* My goodness. I hope everything goes well for us, unless someone wants us out of Aetheria.
"THE MAJESTY IS NOW HERE."
Queen Silvy ascended the steps towards the throne, flanked by two of the elite knights. She stood before the throne and raised her hand in the air. The hush fell over the crowd and at the knights below, silencing the loud cheers and chatter that had filled the arena moments before.
"THE GRAND TOURNAMENT OF AETHERIA SHALL NOW COMMENCE" says Queen Silvy.
Thank you for reading.
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