Thornton

  Today is the day of the PURE. Jade and I are seated in the back of a carriage escort, the rhythmic jostling of the wheels echoing beneath us as we approach Belfour City. The week has been long and grueling, dominated by our visit to the archives and the unsettling events that followed. A change of scenery feels overdue. Security around the Canu has tightened since the intruder's audacious attack at the archives. Whispers of a spy within the village have put everyone on edge, and Jade and I have been under constant watch. Our usual rigorous training sessions have been scaled down to basic drills, with only the occasional hand-to-hand combat.

  Despite our efforts, the shed remains locked; the elusive third key continues to evade us. Jade and I resolved that once the PURE concludes, we'd set out to find Findel. With him, we might finally inch closer to uncovering the truth about who annihilated our clan—and why.

  "Approaching the gates," the driver announces, his voice barely audible over the relentless patter of rain striking the carriage's canopy. The horses slow as we near a towering golden gate adorned with an ornate crown at its center. The rain drums harder as the gate looms closer.

  When the carriage halts, two men in gleaming, mana-infused golden armor stride forward, their weapons shimmering as if impenetrable. Their presence commands attention, and each deliberate step heightens my anticipation.

  "You're Guar Knights!" I exclaim, unable to mask my excitement.

  They glance at me with faint disinterest, their stern faces betraying no emotion.

  "Names," one of them demands curtly.

  "Thornton."

  "Jade."

  The knights scan a parchment list, their golden gauntlets holding it steady. After a tense moment, they motion for the driver to proceed.

  "Take them to the King," one knight commands, his voice crisp.

  The colossal gates creak open, revealing a path flanked by ancient oaks. The horses march forward, their hooves sinking into the rain-slicked ground.

  "We're going to see the King!" Jade says, her voice tinged with awe.

  "The King doesn't interest me," I reply. "One day, I'll be a Guar Knight. The King probably doesn't even fight. He's just royalty—born to a title. The real heroes are the Guar Knights. They deserve respect. Hue fights. I respect him far more."

  Jade shakes her head, her brow furrowing. "Fighter or not, the King is wise. His strategies have kept this kingdom safe. From Belfour City to the countryside, there's been no invasion for over a decade. That deserves respect."

  "The Guar Knights do all the heavy lifting," I counter, crossing my arms.

  For a moment, the only sounds are the horses' trudging steps and the rain tracing rivulets down the carriage cover. Silence settles until Jade's voice breaks through.

  "Look at that!" she exclaims, pointing.

  I follow her gaze and see a creature unlike anything I've encountered before. It has the muscular body of a lion, yet its skin glistens like a shark's, and a scaly mane encircles its powerful neck. The beast leaps from the water to land, releasing a guttural roar that echoes through the woods.

  "What is that?" I ask the driver.

  "Oh, that's Pepe," he replies nonchalantly. "The King's Jax."

  "A Jax?" Jade inquires, her curiosity piqued.

  The driver nods. "Some Jax live most of their lives on land, others in water. Land Jax are more aggressive; they'll attack without hesitation. Water Jax, on the other hand, are calmer. They'll only attack humans if provoked."

  "How can you tell them apart?" I ask.

  The driver's tone turns grim. "You can't."

  Jade and I exchange uneasy glances. Then, the driver grins mischievously. "Just kidding! Land Jax have larger legs and sharper claws. Water Jax sport bigger gills and longer fins. Knowing the difference could save your life one day."

  We watch as Pepe claws at a hollow log, filling it with fruits and berries. His movements are deliberate, almost calculated.

  "What's he doing?" I ask.

  "Jax are clever creatures," the driver explains. "He's balancing his diet. He'll store the log underwater, adding any fish he catches to it. When his supply runs low, he returns to the land to restock."

  The carriage continues, crossing a bridge toward another golden gate, this one guarded by four Guar Knights standing in pairs. As the gate swings open, Jade's breath catches.

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  "Wow."

  Beyond the gates lies a stunning city bathed in sunlight. Majestic mountains frame the backdrop, and orderly rows of buildings line the streets. The symmetry is a stark contrast to the haphazard layout of Canu Village. In the distance, a grand castle perched atop a rocky hill dominates the skyline. The streets buzz with activity; the hum of endless conversations fills the air.

  "How is it sunny here?" Jade asks, marveling at the change in weather.

  "It's always sunny in Belfour City," the driver responds. "A group of mages ensures it. They create perpetual rain on the outskirts while maintaining clear skies within. The outer storm intensifies with ill intent. If you'd come here with malice, the storm might have been deadly. The knights at the gate are only the second line of defense."

  "And go!" the driver suddenly shouts.

  The horses surge forward, their speed increasing as we approach a steep hill.

  "What are you doing?" I shout, alarmed. "We'll crash!"

  But before panic can set in, the horses take flight, their hooves lifting gracefully from the ground. A shimmering magical barrier envelops the carriage, securing us within.

  "To the castle," the driver declares.

  From above, Belfour City is even more breathtaking. The expanse is vast; crossing it on foot would take hours. Jade presses her hands and face against the barrier, her excitement palpable.

  "We're flying!" she exclaims.

  The wind rushes past, carrying the faint scents of the city below. As we descend toward the castle, a towering statue catches my eye.

  "That statue is enormous," I remark.

  "King Rook Belfour," the driver explains, "the late brother of our current king, Turk Belfour."

  When we land, three figures await us at the castle's grand entrance. As Jade rushes toward Hue, the guards step forward, barring her path until Hue intervenes. Before we can exchange pleasantries, the massive doors swing open, and a procession of Guar Knights emerges. Behind them strides a towering figure, his presence commanding. His dark olive skin and thick black beard frame a face of quiet authority. He wields a golden scepter crowned with an amethyst globe, and a crescent amethyst necklace gleams against his chest.

  "You must be the Liche children Hue has spoken of," the King booms, his deep voice reverberating like thunder. "Thank you for aiding my son. But where is the one called the Flame Keeper?"

  "Emberes is on a solo mission but should arrive soon," I reply.

  The King nods and leads us inside, his massive frame nearly filling the corridor as he walks.

  As the tour continues, a striking girl with flowing dark hair passes us, her expression inscrutable. Her icy words to the King hint at familial tension, yet her magic—and her confidence—leave a lasting impression.

  We are shown to our room, a space adorned with weapons, armor, and a spread of food. The balcony offers a stunning view of the city below. But our respite is short-lived. A distorted voice pierces the air, carried by a small yellow bird that flutters onto the King's shoulder.

  "The Fiam Clan is at war with itself."

  The King's expression darkened momentarily at the bird's announcement, but he quickly waved his hand as if brushing away an errant fly.

  "War among the Fiam is of no concern to us here," he said firmly. "My focus remains on the PURIFICATION through UNITY, RESOLVE, and EXCELLENCE—the PURE. It is a time to celebrate, not to dwell on petty squabbles in distant lands."

  "But Your Grace," Jade interjected, her tone cautious. "If the Fiam are divided, wouldn't it—"

  "Enough!" The King's voice boomed, silencing the room. "The PURE sustains our unity, our strength, and our peace. It reminds us of what truly matters: not war, but the resolve to be greater than conflict. This day will be remembered for the brilliance of the PURE, not the chaos of others."

  Jade clamped her mouth shut, but I could see the questions still swirling in her eyes. Beside her, Hue maintained his usual calm demeanor, though his gaze briefly flickered to the King, measuring his resolve.

  The King turned sharply to his steward. "Take them to the staging area. The first events will begin shortly, and I expect their presence."

  The steward bowed deeply and gestured for us to follow.

  As we walked through the sprawling halls of the castle, the anticipation in the air was palpable. The distant hum of the crowd, the faint sound of magical practice, and the steady beat of drums filled the air. Every step brought us closer to the heart of Belfour City's grandest tradition.

  Once outside, we found ourselves on a broad cobblestone path lined with fluttering banners bearing the royal crest of Belfour and the emblem of the PURE. Jade's eyes were drawn to the vibrant colors and the throngs of people bustling toward the massive structure ahead: the Colosseum.

  "It's bigger than I imagined," Jade said, her voice tinged with awe.

  The Colosseum towered above us, its stone walls etched with intricate carvings of past champions and legendary events. Magical wards shimmered faintly, their protective enchantments adding an ethereal glow to the structure. The roar of the crowd inside was a living pulse, growing louder as we approached.

  "Stay close," I said, glancing at the press of bodies around us. The energy was contagious, but it also felt chaotic.

  Jade nodded, her steps quickening to keep pace. "Do you think we're ready?"

  "We've trained for this," I replied, though my tone was more certain than I felt. "We've faced worse than whatever the PURE can throw at us. This is our chance to show them what we're made of."

  As we walked, a group of participants passed us, their polished armor gleaming in the sunlight. They carried themselves with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

  "They look like they've been doing this for years," Jade murmured.

  "Let them underestimate us," I said. "We'll surprise them when it counts."

  We reached the grand archway leading into the Colosseum, where guards stood checking the participants' credentials. The air here was thick with anticipation, the charged excitement of the crowd blending with the subtle hum of magic in the atmosphere.

  Jade glanced at me as we stepped forward. "Whatever happens, we stick together."

  "Always," I replied, the words coming easily.

  The guards waved us through, and we entered the arena's staging area. The Colosseum's interior was more massive than I could have imagined, its design amplifying the cheers of the audience to a near-deafening roar.

  At the center of the arena, mages were already at work, crafting an opening display that promised to rival the stars. Pillars of fire twisted into intricate patterns, while shimmering water and glowing orbs danced in perfect harmony.

  Jade inhaled sharply. "It's beautiful."

  I couldn't help but agree. For all the danger and uncertainty we'd faced, this moment was a reminder of why we fought—to be part of something greater, to leave a mark.

  The sound of a gong echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the first event. A hush fell over the crowd, their collective breath held in anticipation. Jade and I exchanged a final glance before stepping forward.

  The PURE had begun.