Assassination?

Outside space far in an unknown location, five figures could be seen all sitting on a throne, each of a different design and size. The thrones stood erect with no support underneath them and a round black metal table of luxurious feel and exquisite design was at the centre of the five people on the thrones.

Space would occasionally shatter and twist as these people released their auras as they engaged in a heated discussion. 

'' Bang! ''

One of the figures smashed his hands on the round table which vibrated for a while before stopping. 

That casual smash was more than enough to flatten a meteor but the table stood strongly. 

'' You're all being unreasonable, to think you will allow one of the people of the past to participate in the exam. JUST WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? '' They roared as they show their outrage without holding back and the surrounding space collapsed, a chaotic ether storm that could grind multiple solar systems in its path to pebbles howled and clashed with the figures but none of them was fazed. 

Their clothing did not even flap talk more of them being affected by the raging ether storm  

'' Sheesh! ''

One of the figures waved their hands and the chaotic ether storm froze and crept back to its source meekly. 

'' Stop using your muscles when talking. '' The figure that froze the storm spoke in irritation. 

'' I agree with you. '' Another figure spoke with utmost disgust and vengeful tone. '' We shouldn't allow one of the fallen to take part in the exam and taint our new seedlings. '' 

'' And to think they were given special passes that the examiners weren't aware of, I think they should be apprehended and executed immediately. ''The fourth figure muttered. 

'' I can't imagine this is even happening, or have we forgotten what happened in the past, hmph. ' The first figure uttered after calming down their temper. 

'' I'm sure there must be a reason for that so you all should relax. '' The second figure tried to pacify the situation as they tried to make others reason. '' And remember, killing them might result in a war which we're not ready for. ''

'' Hmm. '' The third figure had a solemn look as they pondered about the whole thing the moment war was mentioned. 

The fifth figure on the other hand had been silent, not saying anything since the beginning of the meeting while wearing a flat expression as they watched the drama unfold. 

'' What, since when are we afraid of war, if that's what they want, we shall give them. ''

'' Katcha. '' 

'' What did you say? '' A new figure descended from nowhere and muttered venomously. '' After the last cosmic war and the event of the past, are you saying that we are ready for another war? '' 

'' Hmph. '' The first figure harrumphed as the five of them rose from their thrones the moment they saw this person. 

'' Let me just inform you of the urgent situation at hand, we have a rat among us higher-ups and it might not go well for the whole of Ezgard hehe. '' The new figure muttered in a playful voice but they all gulped when they heard this. 

'' What, what are you saying? '' The first figure was taken aback as soon as they heard this. 

'' It's just as you heard, Genzo and I have already confirmed this. '' The new figure paused and sent everyone a deathly scrutinizing gaze. 

'' Genzo? Even if he's incredible and all, he's still a kid…'' The first figure spoke out of rashness but immediately after, they knew they had misspoken. 

The air suddenly turned cold and crisp and the new figure and the fifth figure turned their gazes at them. 

'' Are you saying that I'm also a kid? ''

'' Of course that was a mistake, you shouldn't get offended by such a slip of tongue. '' The second figure tried to mend the situation that was going south by butting in quickly. 

'' However, are you truly implying that we have a traitor among us? The second figure asked with furrowed eyes. 

'' I gave them the special pass and I'll be responsible for anything that they cause. '' The new figure spoke without answering the question posed to them

'' This is something that could affect the whole of Ezgard and I hope you will accept the responsibilities when they come. '' The third figure spoke in a daring tone. 

The second figure had a conflicted look while the first figure had a puzzled expression. As for the fifth figure, they were still looking unconcerned and acted as if their presence wasn't even needed there. 

The new figure, however, had their eyes rest on the third figure briefly before averting their gaze. 

******

'' Kyarrh! ''

Endra waved his sceptre and smashed the bots that were trying to encircle him. 

'' Hahaha, you metal scraps are nothing but toys to me. '' He laughed loudly, enjoying the feeling of smashing the bots to scraps. 

It happened that,  Endra, Kitasha and some other participants had arrived in the cyclone and they were currently battling the bots scattered around in this region. 

Kitasha swung the big sword in her right hand and the shadow spikes that collided with it vanished.  

Her long champagne-blonde hair swayed in the air as she struck with her long fiery sword. 

An explosion rang out and the wind surrounding her became even more chaotic inside the explosion. 

Scorch marks were visible on the ground and the wind carried the smoke left behind by the explosion. 

Other participants too wielded their Zajra and unleash their Dharma to the fullest to escape the unstable gravity, the cyclone, and the countless bots in this place. 

'' Kitasha, say let's see who enters the tower second haha. '' Endra laughed loudly and the wind carried his words making a distortion. 

'' Hmph, I'm aiming for the first, second my foot. '' Kitasha glared at his blurry silhouette in the distance. 

Just like Zeralf, their senses were also hindered by the strong wind. 

'' Dream on haha, I'm sure white haired must have entered the tower by now. '' Endra retorted aloud. 

'' And why are you so relaxed about being second? '' Kitasha muttered questioningly. 

She really couldn't get her head over why he would act so relaxed, as she was sure that Endra had not been using his full power, well neither of them was using their full power but even at that. 

'' Will they give us money for being first hehe? ''

Kitasha was astonished when she heard his response. Not caring so much because money was not involved?

'' Maybe…? '' Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Endra's distant figure. '' The money I was looking for the other day…no. '' She shook her head and focused back on her battle. 

-

Zeralf entered the tower and the interior revealed itself. 

The floor was made from smooth glistering brown rocks that were aligned close to each other. 

The walls were built out of old dull looking grey bricks that smelled of the passage of time. 

The ground floor was vast and so was its height, a wide brown spiral staircase ascended upward to connect to the other floors. 

 Also, opened and closed arched windows were visible in every part of the wall to ventilate the mammoth structure.

They were to rest in this tower hence…

Zeralf in an instant felt a sharp presence in his nine o'clock position which broke his concentration and he turned his head in that direction. 

His eyes constricted as he saw a figure about a hundred meters from where he stood. 

He thought no one came before him and he should've been the first in this tower so who was this person? 

The figure, moreover, wasn't wearing the examiners' outfits. Instead, it was a pale white skin boy. 

He wore a black kimono with a red fabric fastened around his waist and a long black flowing haori with red stripes at its end was worn over the black kimono together with black footwear. 

He had long jet-black hair that flew down to his waist and some swayed in the air and some hair strands fell on his chest. 

He wore a conical bamboo hat that was tilted forward to obscure his facial features revealing only his slim lips and chin. 

A long black sheathed sword could be seen in his left hand. The sword had a black wooden handle with red designs and a ruby extended backwards as the pommel. 

The flat rectangular red guard fit close to the straight sheathe made from an unknown matte material and the boy gripped the centre of the sword skillfully. 

Almost immediately, Zeralf's heart quickened as he saw the boy turn into a black streak and charge at him with impeccable speed and precision. 

His mind clumped watching the sudden oncoming attack as realization dawned on him. 

Because in this tower, they could not use Dharma.