Chapter 263: Sunset Return


    Minas grandmother stretched her wings, dropped to one knee, and bowed her head, Thank you, young mages, for saving our lives. She nced at Stryg and Sylvie, who was still covered in the viperidaes blood, Especially you two. You have my ns eternal gratitude.


    ...It was nothing, Stryg shrugged. He immediately regretted the motion as pain buzzed in his broken ribs. Stryg looked away and tried his best to hide his grimace.


    We made a bargain with your granddaughter. Goldelms always hold up their end of a bargain, Freya said proudly.


    Were just d youre all safe, Sylvie looked up at the group of fairies sitting on a low branch.


    But are you okay, Sylvie? Callum asked worriedly. You were <em>eaten</em> by that monster.


    Im fine, Sylvie pulled the golden amulet beneath her shirt, My aurum aegis protected me.


    Oh, thats good, Callum sighed with relief.


    What I want to know is how you managed to kill that giant fucker, Freya gestured towards the Dark Bloods corpse in the distance.


    The Dark Bloods scales may have been incredibly tough, but its insides werent, Sylvie exined. I focused all my willpower and casted the most powerful storm spell I could manage. I thought the lightning would drive a hole right through its gut, I didnt expect the lightning to rip off its entire head. Sylvie smiled weakly, Lucky me.


    Well damn, Freya whistled. I guess I really underestimated you. Looks like we might really have a chance of winning the tournament after all.


    Stryg stared at Sylvie skeptically. The others may have been too busy fending off the other viperidae, but he had seen the Dark Blood die. There had been no blue sh of lightning. The Dark Bloods stomach had exploded in a burst of golden light.


    Stryg had gotten a closer look at the viperidaes corpse, its insides were covered in ckened scorch marks. It <em>could</em> have been caused by lightning, but he didnt believe that was the case. It reminded him of when he found Sylvie in her charred room.


    <em> What are you hiding, Sylvie</em>? Stryg wondered.


    Hey, guys, speaking about the tournament, the sun is beginning to set, Callum nched.


    Shit, we dont have time! We gotta be back before nightfall! Freya turned to Stryg, Do you have the flower?


    I got several, Stryg patted his jackets pocket.


    Great, then lets get going, Freya nodded.


    What about that thing? Callum pointed his thumb back at the Dark Bloods corpse. Shouldnt we take a fang as a trophy or something?


    That fang is as tall as you, Cal, do you really think we can just lug that thing back? Freya said. Not even Sylvie could carry that without being slowed down.


    Maybe we could just grab one of its scales then? Callum asked.


    The Dark Bloods scales are as tough as steel, itd take too long to rip one off, Freya shook her head. We have to go now if we hope to stand any chance of passing the First Challenge.


    So, what? Are we just supposed to leave the whole carcass behind? No one will believe that we fought a Dark Blood, much less killed one! Callum frowned.


    We dont have a choice, well fail if we stay any longer. We have to leave <em>now</em>, thats an order, Freya said sternly.


    This is nonsense, Callum muttered.


    Its probably best if we avoid more attention anyway, Sylvie nodded to herself.


    Ready whenever you are, captain, Stryg said.


    Thank you, again. All of you, Minas grandmother bowed.


    Mina and the other fairies bowed as well and whispered their gratitude in their fae tongue.


    Freya grinned, On behalf of Hollow Shades finest, youre very wee.


    ~~~


    The sibling heralds, Jane and Mark, stared at the setting sun and shared a nce at each other.


    Should we call it? Mark asked.


    No, not until Lady Thorn gives the signal. They still have a few minutes left, Jane whispered.


    Very well. Mark nced at the notes the courier had just brought up to the Heralds Tower, Lets begin the days closing ceremony then?


    Lets, Jane nodded.


    The herald siblings walked up to the massive enchanted trumpet at the edge of their tower and inhaled deeply.


    Dear guests, the Fae & Flower Challenge is almost over and our teams have not let us down! Jane eximed.


    Give a loud round of apuse to our 1st ce victors, ~TEAM UNDERGROWTH~!!! Mark yelled.


    The coliseums crowds cheered and pped in droves of thousands for their favored team. Team Undergrowth stood on the stage at the center of the arena with the other teams and Lady Thorn.


    Veronica Sientia waved and blew kisses at her adoring fans. Heather Navisughed loftily and held her head high with pride. Damian Parvus bowed repeatedly and tried his best to hide his giddiness at sess. Calex Thorn simply smiled calmly.


    Not that its a surprise, but tell me, Mark, how do you think Team Undergrowth managed to win first ce on this Challenge? Janes voice rang through the crowds.


    I think any team led by our citys prodigy, Calex Thorn, would seed in any of the three Challenges. However, I think their team owes a great deal of their sess today to Damian Parvus. His family has been renowned rangers since their founding a thousand years ago. No one knows the woonds around Undergrowth as well as House Parvus.


    Excellent analysis, brother. On that same note, what can you tell us of the otherpetitors and how their performance has yed out? Jane asked.


    Well, I think Team Murkton did an incredible performance today, Mark said. They managed to snag 2nd ce and they came back only an hour after Team Undergrowth, a remarkable feat, especially considering the reports of them being attacked by a pack of sereguli!


    Oof, the sereguli really are vicious predators. And to havee across such beasts in the middle of their yearly migration down the Rupture Mountains, what sour luck, Jane said sympathetically.


    Or at least it would have been, Mark grinned. But reports say Gilgard Morrigan slew the pack of beasts by himself while his team gathered the silverbright flowers!


    As expected of the son of the Grand Warlord of the East, a warrior whose martial prowess is unparalleled among our contestants. Calex Thorn will have to be careful.


    At the mention of the Grand Warlord, the crowd cheered for Team Murkton. Gilgard and his fellow teammates stood at attention and bowed their heads in gratitude at the cheers.


    Indeed, sister, Mark said. But I think our thousands of spectators can agree that Calex and Gilgards match is one of the most anticipated in this years 3rd Challenge.


    I couldn''t agree more, Jane nodded. But lets not forget ourst but not least, most anticipated contestant, the younger sister ofst years champion, and this years captain for Team Frost Rim, the illustrious Kalliste Lilith!


    The crowds cheered even louder and chanted <em>House Lilith</em>. Kalliste curtsied to the crowd and winked.


    It seems our spectators have not forgotten the legendary Great House that wonst years tourney over at Frost Rim, Markughed.


    Kalliste has a lot to live up to thats for certain, Jane said. And rumor has it, she has the magical talent and skills to do so, which is why its so heartbreaking that Team Frost Rim took 3rd ce in todays Challenge; and only mere minutes after Team Murkton arrived.


    Kalliste rolled her eyes at the heralds, though neither sibling saw the gesture from all the way up on their tower.


    But nothing is as gut-wrenching and pitiful as theck of an appearance from Team Hollow Shade, Mark winced.


    I wish I could say I was surprised, but I dont think anyone really is, Janemented. Seven years. Seven years of defeat after defeat. Seven years of agonizing losses. And this year seems to be no different. I can only say I pity our Hollow Shaders in the crowds.


    The sun is already setting, I worry we may never see team Hollow Shade again in this years tourney, Mark said.


    It would take a real miracle to turn it around for their team, Jane sighed dramatically.


    As if on cue the southern gate loudly creaked up. The crowds watched in shock as Sylvie ran out, Stryg and the rest close behind. The Hollow Shaders in the stands screamed and cheered, echoing their citys name over and over.


    Ill be damned, Jane mumbled.


    Perhaps the gods really are looking out for this years Team Hollow Shade, Mark said. This years tourney is shaping up to be the greatest in over a decade!


    ~~~


    Stryg red up at the Heralds Tower as his team made their way to the arenas stage, They dont ever shut up, do they?


    Thats their entire job, being loud jackasses, Freya shrugged.


    Are we reallyining right now? We actually managed to make it back on time! Sylvie said.


    Just barely, Callum sighed.


    Shh, were here, Freya whispered as they walked up the stages steps.


    Lady Ophelia Thorn watched them walk up to the stage, an expression of displeasure marred her elegant face. She slowly turned her head towards the sky and made a point of staring at the sunset, itsst rays fading on the horizon.


    ...Youve arrived more or less, Ophelia said, peeved.


    Wed hate to disappoint, Freya bowed with a dramatic flourish.


    Yes, well, show me the flower, Ophelia tapped her foot.


    Stryg stepped forward, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a pair of pale grey flowers. As requested, Silverbright flowers.


    Ophelia grabbed the flowers reluctantly, careful not to touch Strygs hand in the process. She examined the flowers with deep scrutiny. After a few tense moments she nodded, ...Very good, you have passed.


    Stryg and his teammates breathed a sigh of relief.


    Where are yourntern and fairy? Ophelia asked.


    Thentern broke, Freya said.


    And the fairy? Ophelia asked.


    Freya bit her lip, Um


    We set her free, Sylvie said adamantly. She should never have been in thatntern cage in the first ce.


    That fairy was not yours to give away, Ophelia said sharply.


    The rules of the Challenge gave us thentern and fairy to aid us in our quest, Callum said. The rules said nothing of what we could or could not do with thentern nor fairy.


    Ophelia narrowed her eyes, Callum Veres was it? Ill remember your name.


    Callum paled, but he held his ground, ...Nice to meet you too.


    Ophelia raised her eyebrow questioningly.


    Well done, darling, Kalliste pped from across the stage. She smiled brightly, Hollow Shade continues to impress with its <em>extraordinary </em>capabilities. A word of friendly advice; in the future when you decide to bend the rules, try not to getst ce anyway.


    Sylvie red at the vampiress, We only gotte because we saved a fairy n from a swarm of viperidae.


    Viperidae? Kalliste giggled. Is that the best excuse you cane up with? Oh! Sorry, did I say that out loud?


    This little Sylvie growled.


    There are no viperidae this close to Undergrowths borders, Ophelia said coldly. I suggest you take your loss gracefully and refrain from lies, child.


    I didnt lie! Sylvie yelled.


    Then where is your proof, hm? Ophelia looked around. I see no evidence of your ridiculous im.


    Thats Sylvie clenched her fists, but bowed her in defeat.


    I have the evidence right here, Freya reached into her satchel and pulled out arge jade-green scale.


    H-how? Sylvie whispered.


    No way Kalliste muttered in disbelief.


    Ophelias blue eyes widened with surprise but she quickly smothered it with an impassive expression.


    I took it from the <em>first</em> viperidae we killed, Freya smirked. If this wasnt a part of the 1st Challenge then I suggest soldiers and mages be sent to investigate the citys borders. The peoples lives may be in danger.


    ...Yes, Ill send my best soldiers right away, Ophelia said curtly. You must have had a long day, all of you, she gestured towards the four teams. Congrattions onpleting the 1st Challenge. The next Challenge will be much more difficult. I suggest you get some rest while you can.


    Ophelia raised her hand and gestured to the Heralds Tower.


    And with that, the 1st Challengees to a close! Marks voice echoed across the coliseum.


    Hollow Shade manages to pass with the skin of their teeth! Jane yelled. But who knows if theyll manage in the uing Challenge


    ...~THE CHALLENGE OF PILLAR & SEA~!!! Jane and Mark called out at once.


    How long until the next Challenge? Stryg asked Freya.


    Three days from now, she said.


    Stryg held his broken ribs and sighed, I need a bath.