Thornton

  The night air was cool as it swept through the open area near the arena. The sounds of laughter and chatter from the spectators echoed in the distance, but my mind was miles away from the festivities. Tomorrow's game—the INKVOY game—was already weighing on me. With just one day left to prepare, my team was short two members, and time was running out.

  Jade, Emberes, Gashiaz, Hue, and I stood in a quiet corner away from the crowd, a huddle of focus and urgency.

  "We need two more members," I said, running my hand through my hair. "This game needs eight, and we're short. We can't afford to go in unprepared."

  Jade crossed her arms, her usual intensity flickering in her eyes. "We've got the strength, but we need a team that can handle different situations. We need balance."

  I nodded. "Exactly. We can't just rely on power or speed. We need more specialized skills. Someone who can support us when things get rough."

  "Someone with magic," Emberes added, his gaze thoughtful. "Or maybe someone who's quick on their feet. Either way, we can't waste time. Let's go find them."

  "I'll keep an eye out for anyone who could help," Gashiaz said, her voice steady. "I'll check over by the training grounds. You guys go see who's hanging around the arena."

  I turned to Hue, who had been unnervingly quiet. His small frame was practically swallowed by the shadow of his father's legacy. He was trying to act tough, but I could see the tension in his eyes. "Hue," I said gently, "you stay with us. Just stick close. Got it?"

  He nodded, though there was a nervous edge to his movement. "I got it."

  We set off through the arena, weaving between tents and stalls. The night air was heavy with anticipation as other competitors milled about, some laughing over their victories, others anxiously discussing strategies for the next day's matches.

  "I've got a few names in mind," I said, looking around at familiar faces in the crowd. "Let's see if we can find someone who fits."

  We approached a group of fighters, including a young man named Jarek, a recent arrival from the Sol Tribe. Tall and wiry, Jarek had a reputation for agility and cleverness in battle. His sharp eyes always seemed to be sizing people up, and tonight was no exception. He stood with a few other combatants near a fire, their voices low as they discussed their plans for the games.

  I caught his eye and waved him over. "Jarek! We need two more members for tomorrow's game. Are you in?"

  He raised an eyebrow, then glanced at his companions before shrugging. "I've got a lot of other things to do tomorrow, but I'm in. I'll show you what I can do in the games."

  "Perfect," I replied, feeling a surge of relief. "That's one down."

  We continued to search the area, glancing over faces I didn't recognize, hoping to find someone with the right skill set. The team was shaping up, but something felt off, like the air itself was charged with something unseen.

  I could see that Gashiaz had returned, her gaze scanning the crowd. She approached us with a small smile, though I could tell she was still on edge.

  "I found someone who might be able to help," she said, her voice low. "Her name's Lyra. She's quick with magic—elemental magic, specifically. If we can get her, she could be exactly what we need."

  "Good," I said, feeling a sense of urgency. "Let's go."

  We made our way to a small crowd gathered near a cluster of tents, where I spotted Lyra—a tall, lithe figure with quick, fluid movements. Her eyes were focused, her posture poised. She had an air of confidence about her that immediately set her apart from the rest of the competitors.

  I stepped forward, speaking her name. "Lyra?"

  She turned toward us, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "You're the Liche twins, right? I've heard about you."

  "That's right," I said. "We need one more for tomorrow's game. You in?"

  She considered this for a moment, her sharp eyes flicking from me to the others in our group. After a brief pause, she nodded. "I'm in. I've got some tricks up my sleeve that should come in handy."

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  "Great," I said, feeling a wave of relief. "We've got our team."

  As we began to head toward the meeting place for the following day's match, something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. A figure—one I'd noticed earlier—stood in the shadows just outside the arena. He was cloaked in dark, loose-fitting clothes, his face obscured by a hood. There was something unnerving about him, like he didn't belong.

  I could feel my pulse quicken as the figure's gaze locked onto me. And not just me—onto Hue.

  I had a bad feeling.

  "Stay close," I murmured to the group, my voice tight. "We're being watched."

  Gashiaz and Lyra moved into position, subtly shifting as if preparing for a fight. Emberes looked to me for guidance, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

  The figure didn't move, but the tension in the air was palpable. He was waiting for something.

  Before I could ask the group to move quickly, the figure stepped forward. His presence was unnerving—almost like he had stepped out of the shadows themselves. In an instant, he was standing right in front of Hue, his dark eyes gleaming with a cold, dangerous intensity.

  I stepped forward instinctively, placing myself between Hue and the stranger. "Who are you?" I demanded, my voice steady but with a hint of the unease I felt.

  The man tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "The question isn't who I am, boy," he sneered, his voice low and raspy. "The question is who you are. And why you're so important."

  My heart skipped a beat. This wasn't some random attack. This man had been watching us.

  Before I could react, the man lunged at Hue with lightning speed, his hand reaching out to grab the boy by the throat. It was over in an instant. Hue was caught in the man's grip, struggling to break free, his face twisting with panic.

  "Get away from him!" I yelled, rushing forward, but it was too late. The figure's hold tightened, his strength unnerving.

  Just as I was about to draw my sword, a surge of power exploded in the air, and the shady man was flung backward with incredible force. He crashed to the ground, his body twisted in an unnatural position. The sound of his impact reverberated through the arena.

  I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Who had done that?

  From the shadows emerged a figure, a silhouette so imposing it seemed to swallow the light around it. It was King Belfour—Hue's father. The King himself.

  He stepped into the clearing, his presence overpowering, the very air around him vibrating with power. His massive frame loomed over the fallen figure, his eyes burning with a cold fury that made my blood run cold. His mere presence was enough to make my limbs feel heavy.

  "You dare harm my son?" King Belfour's voice rumbled, a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine. It was a voice that commanded absolute authority, and the very ground seemed to tremble beneath his words.

  The shady man struggled to rise, but King Belfour was already moving. With a flick of his wrist, a pulse of energy shot out, slamming into the man and pinning him to the ground. The force of it was so immense that I could feel it in my chest.

  "You should have known better than to try," the King continued, his voice devoid of mercy. "Now, you will answer my questions."

  The man groaned, gasping for air. His body trembled under the weight of the King's power, unable to move, unable to escape.

  "Who sent you?" King Belfour demanded, his tone as cold as ice.

  The shady figure's eyes darted around, but he remained silent, his chest heaving with each strained breath.

  King Belfour didn't wait for an answer. With another simple flick of his hand, the man was lifted off the ground, floating a few inches into the air. His eyes widened in terror, and he began to speak, his voice breaking with fear.

  "I—I was following orders," he stammered. "I wasn't meant to harm him—just watch. Just—"

  "You should've stayed in the shadows," the King said quietly, his gaze unwavering. "But you won't get another chance."

  With a single motion, King Belfour released the pressure, and the man collapsed to the ground in a heap. The King turned to one of his guards, who had appeared just behind him.

  "Take him into custody," the King ordered. "Make sure he speaks. And keep him under heavy guard."

  The guards rushed forward, their movements efficient as they bound the man's wrists and dragged him away.

  I turned to Hue, who was breathing heavily but otherwise unharmed. His eyes were wide, still processing what had just happened.

  "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice softer now.

  Hue nodded slowly, though his face was pale. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... what was that?"

  I shook my head, still trying to make sense of it all. "I don't know. But we need to be ready. Tomorrow's game just got a whole lot more dangerous."

  I didn't realize just how strong the King was. I had always assumed that his strength was just a title—just a symbol of his position. But what I saw tonight... that was real power. Power that could crush a man with a thought. There was nothing—nothing—like it.

  Before, I thought Hue's bloodline gave him an edge. That, somehow, Hue was destined for greatness just by being the King's son. But now... I'm starting to see that it's not just his bloodline that makes him dangerous. It's his father. King Belfour is a force beyond comprehension. And that's the man Hue follows, the man who stands behind him.

  I feel it now—the respect, the awe, and the fear. Hue is part of something far bigger than himself, something that could tear down everything in its path if it wanted to.

  I need to keep that in mind as we head into tomorrow's game. Because I know one thing for sure: what I saw tonight—that power? It's something we'll need to survive what's coming.

  The next morning, the team gathered outside the tent, preparing for the journey ahead. The sky was still dark, the early hours of dawn brushing the horizon with a faint light. We'd have to make our way through the Belfour Forest, a dense stretch of wild terrain that was rumored to have its own secrets.

  We all looked at one another, the gravity of the situation settling in.

  "Let's get moving," I said, my voice steady. "We have a game to win."

  With that, we started off toward the forest, our minds sharp, our resolve firm. We didn't know what the day would bring, but we were ready. Or at least, we thought we were.