Chapter 16: THE EXAMS COMMENCE.

"Well now, what kind of introduction is this?" Chris speaks softly. All the young knights then turned around, Taski, Darcie, Mikado, and Sharaletta were struck down with confusion at the sight of Chris appearing before them all. Ariah was terrorized by Yegor appearing as a knight candidate, her heart was drowned in anxiety, her worries began consuming her. She started to panic and breathe heavily over her fear of Yegor and what he'd do to her. She begins to speak softly and then increases vocally, "I can't. I can't do this." She repeatedly said. Her breathing becomes unbearably severe and sprints out of the Hall, running toward the double doors. Taski then takes off running for her and shouts to her, "Wait! Ariah!" She stops and looks behind as Taski approaches her. Emerald couldn't believe her eyes to see the king's son rush off quickly, she then says, "What? Diarmuid's son too?!" Darcie is unsure if doing anything would help, she remains still as she thinks to herself about the current situation. Taski asks her and begs her to resist her fears," What are you doing? Don't let your fears control you." She grievously replies to him, "Please forgive me for doing this, but, I can't do this. Yegor is the one that has given me such a traumatizing life, he's the one who has abused me, he even threatened me and my family. I can't do this, I can't keep going on like this anymore. I just want to find peace and rest from my past."

He looks with grief in her eyes as her tears drip down her chin to her feet, he responds to her, "Ariah, you're wrong, you are much better than that. Believe me, don't let Yegor scare you. Like I promised you and your father, I will protect you with my life." Ariah, being far too deep into her despair, denies his words of strength and says to him, "Taski, I can't do this. I feel that I would only get in your way as well as the others, please understand me. I would rather not leave you and the others, but, Yegor will kill me and you. Don't bother trying to stop me, I promise you that I'll see you again soon." Taski refuses and places his hands on her shoulders and says, "Ariah, please. We need you, I need you. Without you, we have no healer, and we'll be disadvantaged." Ariah looks at his eyes quietly and puts her head down on his chest, she unfortunately rejects his words again and replies, "Taski. You're stronger, and better than me. You don't need me, I'll just go back home to my family. I'm so sorry for wasting your time." He then accepts her answer, slipping his arms off her shoulder slowly and says to her kindly, "Okay, I understand. I guess this is goodbye for now. You take of yourself Ariah, and I love you."

He looks into her eyes one last time before turning away, he then walks slowly to the Knight's Hall once more. Ariah drips tears from her eyes as she watches him walk away, a few of the memories she had with him came to her mind, the time of when he sat with her after training hours back at camp. They would always share their experiences as kids together, about long terms goals they hope to accomplish. All she could think of was the words of Taski telling her that he would protect her, no matter what. The same words kept on repeating in her head as her crying intensified. Emerald then shouts to everyone, "Now is your chance! Either stay or leave this place, and don't bother showing up here or at camp again!" Emerald's words shook Ariah with a great force, as a wake-up call for her. Ariah's head thought of everything she experienced with Taski and all the training he did with her throughout the last few weeks. Her heart beat in guilt for leaving them all, she then sprints forward as fast as she was able to, and rushed over to reunite with them all. Taski looks over at her and gasped seeing her return, he then says to her, "It's good you trusted my words." She then looks forward, chest bulked up, and standing firm and shouts, "I am willing to fulfill my duty as a healer! Forgive me for my indecision, I needed some reassurance in my path."

Emerald looks down at her and gives her a look of confidence. Yegor looks at her and thinks to himself, "We'll see how long she can stay true to those words." Emerald orders all the knights to proceed forward into the stadium to commence the exams, the young knights looked through the cut-off of the stadium and noticed billions of people sitting down, walking, and taking many photos. Throughout the stadium halls were many long pathways that led to the different sides of the inner stadium, and many people treated it as a pre-game waiting area. The young knights approached the doors that lead into the stadium field, with a giant blast of light gazing on all of them. They all were officially in the center of attention for everyone. The announcer then powered his microphone and spoke to the audience, "Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls. It is with honor to be here today, to witness an epic battle. Our newest knights are here to display, and prove their worth to all of you. Let us give our new generation of knights a round of applause!" The audience screams in excitement, confetti flies everywhere, people take hundreds of photos. All the knights gaze up to the people with a smile of accomplishment for the work it took to make it to where they all are at now. The announcer speaks again to them, announcing each knight "Let us announce our newest knights, starting with Team Darcie, first off, we have Darcie Mandelen, her fast lightning will leave you breathless and stoked. Next up we have Taski Mandelen, with his scorching flames, he'll leave you in the ashes if you're not careful with him. Up next is Mikado Malvanie, her ability to hold anything in her hands with her gravitational force can leave you off your feet if you mess with her. We now have Drake Andervan, he may not be able to produce any ability force, but, he definitely isn't a push-over, he'll make mincemeat out of you! Last but certainly not least, we have Ariah Marylinn, her ability to heal wounds with her roses and beautiful garden vines, she'll have you better in no time."

The crowd screams wiled and shoots confetti, and the screens display Team Darcie wide and big. The announcer then shifts the focus over to Sharaletta's team. With his energy built up, the announcer speaks and says, "Alright folks, with Team Darcie shown, I'd like to now shift the attention over to our second team, Team Sharaletta! First off, we have Sharaletta Andersan. Her ability to create anything out of a pure substance, she's able to create a clear path toward victory with her great determination. Next we have is Toronto Okonkwo, his ability to shoot sharp and explosive needles from his body, particularly his arms, he can have armies wiped clean with no problem. Third in line is Tesakai Mitsuo, the warrior of Tokyo Japan is here in Asalikith to fight along-side with us and protect those whom he loves and those around him. Up next is Sesakayla Kurumi, also from Tokyo, Japan. Her super strength might just be able to match against Elden Knight Emerald. Finally, we have Akaio Silvia, her ability to heal with the waves of healing and to restore your damages, Akaio is a powerful and brave woman." The screens then shifted to Sharaletta's team for a full view; after this, the announcer then spoke again, "Alright everyone, our last team is now going to be announced, our final team is Team Chris. There aren't any descriptions of their abilities, which makes this team a surprise. First off, we have, Chris Deratea, second we have Mandy Oliver, and our last newest knight is Yegor Antakov. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's give our young Knights a round of applause, one more time!" The crowd goes insane and cheers them on, standing at the center of the stadium, the knights gaze upon the cheers and joy of the crowd. Meanwhile, in the back stands behind the food bar was a mysterious dark-hooded man hid behind a pillar blocked off from the public. He stared down into the stadium looking down at Yegor, he then stated, "Yegor Antakov, your rein of terror and lies, end here. You're about to climb the six-foot ladder."