Back in the bleacher area where the Black Wolves and Belle had occupied, the others were minding their own business and talking amongst themselves. Code sat quietly, keeping to himself, arms crossed, and with a leg crossed over.
Brand changed seats, sitting nearer to Code and faced forward, neither acknowledging the other. If one had witnessed the two, there would have been only silence between them, but unbeknownst to everyone, they were having a private conversation.
Fingers snapped, drowned out by the chatter of the crowd. Confirmed, Code thought, exchanging the thought with Brand.
I'm glad you saw that, too, Vice Captain.
What was that… the second one you saw? The first one was earlier, no? Code asked.
Aye. It was but a blink, but I saw it. Whoever did it might not have known that I could see that far and zoom in within my peripheral. They've been fairly cautious aside from that.
Did you by chance see the culprit?
Negative.
Around the same time, Code noticed some of the Green Owls that had been stationed all around the audience, slowly and stealthily mobilizing. It looked like they were collaborating with Daz's mages as well. Whatever Code and Brand noticed, it seemed that the Arcane King had, too, and he was taking action.
I thought it was odd that they skipped right into the second round… Something must have happened in the Keep. I'm not buying that 'secret tournament' announcement. He snapped a thought into Brand's head.
I also thought that was weird. But wouldn't they have started with Captain Greed vs. the Goro fellow? Brand thought.
Exactly. At first, I had assumed that if they were going to skip matches, it would be because some of the contenders went missing. Which is why the second round started right away between Cecillia and Lance. But I saw both Greed and Goro on the remaining contenders list on screen, meaning someone we're not seeing is testing theories. I bet they had suspected that Cecillia mage, but after witnessing more disappearances after she had just been rendered out of commission, turns out it wasn't her after all.
Aye. Keen eye, Vice Captain.
Code snapped his fingers again, already mid-flow-state.
Yo! What are you two talking about? Or uh… thinking about, heh… Havoc thought as he had somehow entered the thought chat.
Hav… What—how the hell did you get in this?
You two were acting sus… so I interjected Brand's thoughts…
The fuck? How is that even possible!? How am I now exchanging thoughts with you of all people!? Code thought, forehead tightening as he proceeded to snap his fingers subconsciously.
In any case, what's happening is—
The thought was incomplete when Havoc received it. And when he looked over to Code, he was visibly irritated at something, scratching his head. "What the hell?" Havoc uttered under his breath to himself.
The thought in Code's head in that moment was…
CHOCO BAR! CHOCO BAR! CHOCO BAR! MY TEDDY IS GOING TO GIVE ME A CHOCO BAR WITH OR WITHOUT YOU CODE! SO, FUCK YOU, YOU PRICK! The thought went on and on.
At that time, Star looked as if she was keeping to herself, sitting with a dimpled smile across her face, oblivious of the fact that Code had accidentally exchanged thoughts with her. How it even happened remained a mystery in itself, while Code continued to writhe in frustration.
***
Greed:
Back in the Warriors' Keep, another vanishing had occurred. This time, from one of the Golden Roses themselves.
"How!? Lance, did you see?" Viper asked, panicking.
He shook his head. Eyes closed. It was like the guy didn't even care.
The hell is wrong with him? I thought, watching.
I then whipped my head to where I had left Jo on the couch. She was still there, and Nyx as well, keeping close watch as he threw me a thumbs up from where he was.
"Was it not Cecillia? Were we wrong?" Snow spoke.
Alphonzo began observing intently once more, saying nothing and simply watching us as the squabbling began…
"It's not just Love…" Ryo added. "Zeke is now gone as well… and Polaris."
"How? When did this happen?" questioned Snow. "We were all so vigilant."
That's three more from this Keep while Cecillia has remained unconscious, escorted by four mages, Henza and Nash…" Zeno deduced.
With Love and Zeke gone. The ones left aside from Alphonzo were: Ryo, Snow, Rex, Zeno, Goro, Viper, Lance, Rok (whom I had forgotten about), Jo, and me. Along with Cecillia when she arrives with both Nash and Henza and the remaining four healer mages.
I first suspected one of the healer mages due to there being eight of them in the keep with us from the beginning of the Tournament, but since then, half of them had vanished as well. Had Nash not gone, that would have been where my speculations might have lied next.
The vanishings still occurred even with all these vigilant eyes… So who was the culprit?
I looked over to the other end of the room, where the biggest contender had yet to make any statement or move from his spot.
It seemed no one suspected him. Not even Viper, who was the most outspoken about who it might have been. Had it been because he was also from the Desert Kingdom, and she trusted him? Or was she intimidated by his size? Either way…
I made my way over and stood next to him, leaning my back against the wall, as if to relax and maybe banter… if he would talk, that is.
I took out another toothpick from my pocket and placed it in my mouth. "So, what are your thoughts on all of this, big guy?" I asked nonchalantly.
He didn't respond, remaining as he was, large arms crossed, still, stoic. It was as if the whole thing had been trivial to him.
"You know, if you don't speak up or act normal, the others might start suspecting you, too," I implied. We both faced outwardly in the same direction toward everyone.
Again silence. I expected as much. But what I didn't expect was his delayed response. "If you are here to observe me, you may, but I will tell you now that it is not me," Rok spoke. His deep, heavy voice vibrated the walls we leaned against.
I loosed a breath, replying, "I know."
Our conversation was hardly one, but the understanding was mutual.
I could tell just by his tone, all the way down to his choice of words, that it wasn't him. It was also one of the reasons he had not moved from this spot. It was so others could constantly note where he was in this Keep without placing their doubts on him. Though I suppose regardless of where he stood, he'd be seen, but I digress.
I saw Ryo's diligent eyes meet mine across the room. He held out two fingers pressed against each other, and I did the same. Snow, Rex, and Zeno all saw this as well, and that was our quiet signal, simultaneously telling each other that 'the coast was clear.' Though in this sense, it meant that Rok was not a suspect.
But it only narrowed down our suspects dangerously to the few outside of us.
And I didn't want to believe anyone else here was responsible…
At this same time, Nash and Henza made it back with the four healer mages and Cecillia, who was out cold on a stretcher.
Nothing else out of the ordinary had seemed to occur since they came back. The halls that led to the arena and back weren't that long, but anything could happen at this point. And now that Cecillia had been ruled out as the culprit, it appeared the Valley Tournament was proceeding as normal. However, not all agreed on it.
Viper whipped her head over to Alphonzo and demanded, "We need to stop this Tournament right now! We need to save Love and the others! We can't just sit here and pretend nothing is happening while our comrades are vanishing left and right! Don't you think it is our duty as mages to solve this in the best interests of the Valley people? Who cares about this damn Tournament anymore!"
Alphonzo merely looked at her with his bland eyes, replying, "We have our security making a move as we speak. We need to stay put until they are at their stations."
"Screw staying put! Put me at one of the stations. I don't care if I am disqualified!" she defiantly stated.
"I'll go too," Zeno said next.
I looked at Zeno with a raised brow. He felt my stare as he turned his head to me and shrugged. It can't be helped, he seemed to say.
After staying silent and considering, Alphonzo pulled out his comm and called Daz. He picked up immediately.
Daz here, the Arcane King said over the line.
"We have some contenders choosing to drop out—"
Then, before Alphonzo could get in another word, the Valley's heart spoke up.
"I object to that," Ryo said. "With the competition dwindling, it is even more imperative that we all attend these next matches. This is no longer for us; it's for the Valley. The Kingdom's people have been waiting for this moment. They have been waiting for the Kingdom to demonstrate its Knights and future captains. Will you deny them this and have them go into a state of panic instead? For a second time? The Valley has already endured that not too long ago. People died, and the people here are seeking recovery and closure. We already have security and even Alphonzo here to take care of everything in the shadows, while our only duty is to fight in a ring for the people's peace of mind. We should all be unified and proceed as is."
He looked over to Viper and continued, "I lost both of my comrades here today. Left to wonder if they are alive or… Keeper forbid… but I know without a shadow of a doubt that they would want us to continue this Tournament, for them, for its people. We all have a duty to play, do we not?"
"Plans change. A mage—no… a responsible adult should know to adjust." Viper objected.
"And a responsible adult also knows when to adjust," countered Ryo.
He watched Viper's expression tame, changing to one that knew it was bested.
A smirk formed on my face, and I lowered my head, closing my eyes all the while as I remained at the wall next to Rok. This was the same kind of speech Alphonzo had given me earlier. But when Ryo said it, it was a reminder to everyone else in the room. And Daz was on the line too, hearing every word.
Well said, Ryoku, Daz said over the comm. To be frank, I knew why Alphonzo was calling. I was just about to respond in the same fashion. But I couldn't have said it better myself.
Viper scoffed, but then silently observed Ryo like he had intrigued her. She didn't like it, but dared not speak back to the Arcane King—especially if he agreed with Ryo. I could tell she licked her lips behind that mask over her mouth.
For your peace of mind, I have just ordered security and the Green Owl Knights to guard all open areas leading to the hallways. We even have eyes on the audience to make sure we catch any vanishings that occur during the upcoming rounds. Alphonzo has also ordered parties to guard all the designated rifts he and Henza have found. About three mages to each of the six rifts at this time. Rest assured, as the next match commences, we will not let any more vanishings occur. Have trust in your allies. And give the citizens what they came to see.
Viper was silent for a moment, but then agreed, "Aye, sir." And then a renowned "Aye" sounded from everyone else. I didn't say it myself, but I heard Rok next to me say it in unison with the others—quiet as he was.
Alphonzo then flipped off his comm and concluded, "Well, there you have it. Orders from your Arcane King himself."
"And now, Valley citizens, we will be introducing the next set of fighters to the ring!"
When the announcer's voice echoed through, we felt the rumbling of the crowd above, and everyone readied themselves.
"Your next contenders will be…" All of our eyes flashed in anticipation for his next words. "Head Guard of the Desert, Rok and Nash of the Black Wolf Knights!"
Nash smirked, then roared with laughter, stomping on the ground with an intense aura; it was like he had been waiting this whole time to at last go on stage—to at last fight. And he was elated at the opponent he would be facing.
Most Black Wolves had one defining shared trait, and that was the pleasure to fight opponents or monsters much larger and potentially stronger than us.
His light blue eyes met the monster of a man across the room, and Rok caught his gaze like a challenge accepted as Nash said,
"Finally. A true fight between men!"