***
Over the black gates dividing Thriergor into two, a cold city hibernates. The grounds were too frozen for people to move around without falling, and the air was too cold for one to carelessly breathe, for fear of freezing their lungs; Yet at this moment, black carriages rolled by, causing those hiding from the cold outside to peek out for a glimpse at who this courageous people were.
At the sight of the sigils carved into the carriage doors, they retreated inside their houses without question. These were the four great clans. They were not normal people. This weather to them was nothing but a cool wind. The carriages rolled past till they were completely out of the city. They moved without stopping till they arrived at a towering castle in the middle of a frozen field. Still, they did not stop. They moved a little ways past the castle to a small arena carved from black rock.
Many dismounted and approached the arena. The moment they walked out, they glanced at each other slightly and climbed to find their seat. Even after being seated, more were still arriving from different places in Other-side. Yet, very few spoke and if not, they did so in hushed tones. The tension in the air was capable of sinking the Knol Sea.
Until the games began that excitement filled the air. This was a celebratory game for those who returned from the alignment battleground. They had just not expected that Lady Xier would offer to host it. It was only an offer, but they were sure they had no choice but to accept. The lady had been quiet since she arrived Other-side months ago. This was the first time she had interacted with them in a while and they were completely worried about the outcome. Things around the world were changing and they could barely keep up. They had to be ready for anything.
As the younger generation fought beneath them on the stage and their mates cheered and booed, the older generation kept an eye out for the host. She had had the event started without her and it was already into the semi-finals. They wondered when she would make her appearance. This continued till the finals were announced. Only then did they see a black-skinned girl with blonde sponge-like plaited-up hair make her way to the host seat. She was clad in soft grey fur, making her look as though slightly electrified after a storm. Her brown eyes scanned the arena at the clans before waving to them.
"Be seated," she said. Only then did they realise that they had stood up when she walked in. Most could not hide their shame. The tension had enveloped them for so long that when they saw the person whom they had been awaiting with such anticipation enter at last, they stood up unconsciously. They awkwardly took their seats as the final games began.
Lady Xier had her head slightly rested on the chair. The hawk eyes of these martial arts experts could still see even from her distance that she had her eyes closed and they remained so till the finals were concluded and winners were decided. Only then did she open her eyes and look at those on the stage.
"You have done well. Let us feast," she said and got up. They were not quite sure what kind of feast was awaiting them, so many got up and watched as she left. The Judges for the tournament looked at the tensed crowd and slightly sighed before one of them stood and walked over.
"Please, join us in the halls," a long-bearded old black man said. Only then did the four clans move. They mounted their carriages and horses and made their way to the castle.