I felt like I was in the middle of a cold war, where all sides had their own agendas. I realized I was being utilized as a chess piece—a movable piece to help another player achieve their goals.Anytime is good for me, because I may be used at any time... by dying.Either I satisfy the intrigue of the council, or I obey the monarch. The king, after all.Prince Killan, because of his reasoning. It's not just a surface-level concern on his part that I'd be bragging about the powers I have.In this case, what might possibly be Lady Montay's motivation? To what does the council look forward?"Princess Idrish, please step it up a notch. Prove your mettle and you will be sent to the winter arena." Montay's actions were rather oblique. I just didn't click with her. If they make me abandon her in the woods, every bone in her body will be broken.I implore your grace to demonstrate your talents. Another whisper reached my ears.When Killan looked at me, his dark eyes met mine. His jaw clenched
A sigh of relief washed over us as the next few days passed. Everything that had been prepared for was about to take place. No authority was interfering with the destiny I had accepted for so long. There's no king keeping tabs on me. No prince or husband would ever risk his life by doing something I didn't give them permission to do.Me, alone, in the weight room. Taking in the season's best from the arena over the past winter, spring, summer, and fall.What I saw was nothing but wounded and dead warriors, as well as a few victorious ones.The arena proved fatal for the vast majority of the delegates.The tournament, which will take place in a week, will take place in the middle of the snow month, just like the winter arena I grew up in.In Mors's woods, ten competitors from ten different regions would square off to determine who would emerge victorious. The group would be split in half, with five players on each side. In Septen, five people would work to defend the city's six towers
The most difficult test ever set before the queen. I was equipped with the queen's gauntlet. Powerful protection for the arms and hands.Throughout the entirety of the journey, I kept paraphrasing what the prince had said to me.I had a sneaking hunch that the former queen of the seventh region had been involved in some sort of covert power transition. Despite the fact that it attracted me, I chose to ignore it because there was no way that a humble elf like myself could ever hope to purchase such a potent artifact from the queen.When an elf is given a power that it is unable to control, the elf's body goes through some kind of change or reaction. It is possible for innocent individuals to become ill, hurt, or even killed when a new leader is unable to successfully wield the reins of power.So why did nothing bad happen to me? What was wrong with me that I only felt my hands get heavier, as if I were holding tons of steel, and nothing else?Why did the queen pick me to be the heir to
The wagon I was sitting on was built with sturdy materials. It looked like there were iron bands surrounding the wheel spokes. All of the redwood used in the wagon was recently cut down, and the best engineers in the mansion used their skills to create it.The mule neighed as we exited the front yard of the home. I swung around for one last look at the Calore homestead. In front of the main door, I saw King Argus, his council, and the maidens and butlers who had served me over the past few days."Idrish, grasp the opportunity. The seventh areas say good-by." Killan, who was standing next to me, advised me. He was clothed in a royal blue suit. He was stunningly beautiful.The elves waiting outside House Calore's castle yelled as the wagon approached. Unbeknownst to them, children were spotted waving blue and white flags with the Calore logo on them. Women throwing flowers lined the street."Nore, Opele, and Alkar." 'House, people, honor,' the throng chanted in unison. Powerful and movi
After breaking through the wall of solid bricks, I had the sensation that I had entered a new dimension. When I arrived, I was greeted by a forest that was a stunning emerald green color, with a shade of almond brown interspersed throughout. I am able to make out the rustling of the grasses and the crackling of the leaves beneath me. It smelled musty and stale at the same time. The odor of decaying wood was produced by broken branches that had been on the forest floor for many years and had been allowed to decompose in peace.So, this is Mors.I heard a snorting coming from behind a thick covering of fluffy moss, and then I saw a boar feeding. There were tiny rats running around in the moss, searching for food in between the bristly strands.Somewhere very close to the ideal state. As I stepped into the newly discovered forest, that was the only thing I could think of to say. This had me in utter thrall the entire time. In this thicket, the trees have taken on the role of strongholds.
Pranaiah, a drunken old guy, and a bipolar swordsman. How did I end up paired up with this wacky group of champions?"Healed, healed, healed! Idrish. Idrish. Healed!" Pranaiah, the mischievous Pranaiah who had been strolling over the entire base, repeated himself. On the drinking jar-shaped forehead, his regional insignia sparkles.Meridio's tears had already drawn the attention of the larger man. The creature's hand is still on the huge bottle of wine, which looks like it will never run out.I shifted my focus away from the individual in question. As he hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time, I started to wonder if he was still alive. He hadn't moved or breathed in quite some time. My neck began to give way, and in an effort to protect myself, I buried my face in his chest.It sounded as though his heart was beating quite quickly. In the same manner as the speed of light. Even the tiniest of twitches gave the impression that life was still there.Due to the apparent potency of t
Panic.A taste of thick, warm air.Then a deafening silence.Rouma stumbled directly into the treatment facility. She appeared to have napped because she was very exhausted. She was covered in scars and marks.The three-headed snake symbol etched into her earring was all that could be seen in the waning light. Will she soon die? I can't say for sure. Something was stuck in my throat, and I had to swallow it. The back of my throat was starting to burn—this dread.Fear. Sudden. Really unexpected.The reverberation of the world's motions reached my numb ear. We had the genuine thing here. This is the real deal. This moment felt like it would never end for me.Then I became aware of a set of eyes watching me."I-is she going to be fine?" Yes, I did inquire. While Kenru and I exchanged looks, I sensed Bonbon and Sir Borracho running up behind me.He unblinkingly answered, "Yes. She's on the healing base. The safest area. She will come back after an hour or two.""So what are we going to do
Astounded. As life's challenges loomed large, I felt the thorns of fear creeping in, bolstered by an inner resolve. Yes, fear. A sentinel within, guarding us from perilous unknowns, shrouding us in its shadow. It stood as both guide and obstruction, shielding us from our aspirations. Yet, it had to be overcome. I had to conquer my fears, for they were the key to my rebirth from the depths of uncertainty. To become my ideal self. Rarely before had the tapestry of emotions woven itself into such a vivid and intricate design. Fear, a river of icy trepidation, flowed through the channels of my being. But beneath its frosty surface, a torrent of empowerment surged, like molten lava surging in the belly of a sleeping volcano. It was as if I stood within an impregnable citadel, its ancient stones brimming with tales of valor, ready to shield me against any tempest. Quivers of anticipation coursed through me, a delicate dance between trepidation and determination. Before me raged a tem